Strongyloidiasis and malignant lymphoma. "Opportunistic infection" by a nematode.

Abstract

INFECTIONS with organisms of low pathogenicity often complicate the treatment of malignant lymphoma. Bacteria and viruses harmless to healthy persons may be fatal to patients with lowered resistance; certain fungi have become notorious for such opportunistic infections. 1 If a lowly fungus can be called opportunistic, surely the opprobrium can be applied to a parasitic worm aggressively invading a weakened host. Infections with Strongyloides stercoralis , seldom serious in otherwise healthy persons, can cause the death of those debilitated from malnutrition or other illness. To our knowledge, strongyloidiasis has not been previously reported in association with malignant diseases of the lymphatic system. Report of Cases Case 1.— A 63-year-old white farmer was admitted to the hospital after eight months of weakness, itching, cough, anorexia, and weight loss. The spleen, liver, and superficial lymph nodes were enlarged. The platelet count was 16,000/cu mm and the white blood cell count (WBC) was 2,450/cu