Strongyloidiasis physical examination

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] ; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Aditya Ganti M.B.B.S. [2]

The physical examination findings in strongyloidiasis vary and are usually dependent on the worm burden and the involved organ.^[1]

Most patients generally appear well with minimal or no symptoms on physical examination.

Fever may be observed in strongyloidiasis.

• Low-grade fever may occur in some patients with strongyloidiasis
• High-grade fever
  • Present in complications such as acute cholangitis and hepatic abscess

• Icteric sclera secondary to obstructive jaundice

Eosinophilic pneumonia (Löffler’s syndrome) may occur in severe cases with the patient presenting with the following physical examination findings:

• Dyspnea
• Coarse rales
• Wheezing resulting from bronchospasms

Physical examination of the abdomen may reveal:

• Abdominal tenderness
  • Secondary to intestinal obstruction, appendicitis, biliary colic, acute cholangitis, acute cholecystitis, hepatic abscess, etc.
• Abdominal distension
• Signs of acute bowel obstruction

Patients may present with urticaria.

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