A 34-year-old man arrives at the office seeking medical attention. The patient just moved to the United States from Eastern Asia. He has no chronic medical issues, but has been experiencing occasional abdomen pain and episodic diarrhea for several months. He has also had dry coughing and throat discomfort on occasion. A physical examination reveals no anomalies. Strongyloides stercoralis IgG antibody testing is positive. Detection of which of the following is most suggestive of active infection by the pathogen in this patient?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Eductional Objective: Infection with Strongyloides stercoralis occurs when filariform (infectious) larvae in contaminated soil pierce human skin, migrate to the lungs through the bloodstream/lymphatics, and ascend the tracheobronchial tree to be ingested. They then reach the small intestine, where they develop and live in the mucosa. Rhabditiform (noninfective) larvae are discharged into the feces and can be discovered by diagnostic stool microscopy.

A 34-Year-Old Man Arrives at the Office Seeking Medical Attention