Diagnosing parasitic infestation in a patient with tuberculosis

Abstract

This report describes a case of diarrhea, abdominal pain, and strongyloidiasis in a 33-year-old woman. She had co-existing abdominal tuberculosis. The role of repeated stool microscopy in patients with a compromised immune system with a high index of clinical suspicion for the parasite is important. Strongyloidiasis was not clinically suspected in this patient and was diagnosed as part of evaluation for diarrhoea. But the case raises the importance not only of testing for strongyloidiasis in tuberculosis patients with symptoms suspicious of strongyloidiasis but also therapy for the parasite in such instances. Treatment with steroids for tuberculosis may also worsen the symptoms of strongyloidiasis.