Cutaneous periumbilical purpura in disseminated strongyloidiasis in cancer patients: a pathognomonic feature of potentially lethal disease?
Braz. j. infect. dis
; 9(5): 419-424, Oct. 2005. ilus, tab
Article
in En
| LILACS
| ID: lil-419652
Responsible library:
BR1.1
ABSTRACT
Cutaneous manifestations in disseminated strongyloidiasis are infrequent but should raise the suspicion for its diagnosis. We retrospectively evaluated the charts of six patients with cancer and a proven diagnosis of disseminated strongyloidiasis. All patients had received prophylaxis with albendazole before starting antineoplastic therapy, which included high-dose steroids. They presented with septic shock, acute respiratory failure and characteristic purpuric periumbilical skin lesions. Strongyloides larvae were identified in tracheal aspirates (n=5), gastric aspirates (n=4), lung (n=2) and skin biopsies (n=2). All patients died despite antihelminthic therapy and intensive care support.
Full text:
1
Index:
LILACS
Main subject:
Purpura
/
Skin Diseases, Parasitic
/
Strongyloidiasis
/
Strongyloides stercoralis
/
Neoplasms
Type of study:
Prognostic_studies
Limits:
Animals
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
Language:
En
Journal:
Braz. j. infect. dis
Journal subject:
DOENCAS TRANSMISSIVEIS
Year:
2005
Type:
Article