DOI: 10.12890/2021_002707

Strongyloides Hyper-Infection Syndrome and Ciliocytophthoria Mimicking Balantidium coli

Authors

  • Moni Roy Department of Internal Medicine, University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria and OSF Saint Francis Medical Center, Peoria, IL, USA
  • Sharjeel Ahmad Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria, Peoria,IL, USA
  • Arif Sarwari WVU School of Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, Morgantown, WV, USA

mroy27@uic.edu

Keywords

Strongyloidiasis, hyperinfection syndrome, ciliocytophthoria

Abstract

Ciliocytophthoria is a phenomenon where degenerated cells in infections or malignancy can present as ciliated cells on microscopy and so may be confused with ciliated parasitic infection. We present an interesting case of recurrent shortness of breath, misdiagnosed as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbations leading to unnecessary exposure to antimicrobials and steroids. The case was diagnosed as Strongyloides hyper-infection syndrome. Another finding worth mentioning was that ciliated cells noted on broncho-alveolar lavage were thought to be a co-infection with Balantidium coli but were later confirmed as ciliocytophthoria.

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References

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Published

2021-07-23

Issue

Vol. 8 No. 7 (2021)

How to Cite

1.
Roy M, Ahmad S, Sarwari A. Strongyloides Hyper-Infection Syndrome and Ciliocytophthoria Mimicking Balantidium coli. EJCRIM [Internet]. 2021 Jul. 23 [cited 2026 Nov. 3];8(7). Available from: https://ejcrim.com/index.php/ejcrim/article/view/2707

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