Overview
Strongyloidiasis is an infection caused by a tiny parasitic roundworm called Strongyloides stercoralis (and less commonly Strongyloides fuelleborni). Unlike most parasites, this worm has a unique ability to reproduce inside your body, which means an infection can last for decades — even your entire life — without you knowing it. The worm enters the body through the skin, usually by walking barefoot on contaminated soil. It then travels through the bloodstream to the lungs and eventually settles in the small intestine, where it lays eggs and causes ongoing infection. Most people with strongyloidiasis have mild or no symptoms, which is why it often goes undiagnosed for years. Common signs include stomach pain, diarrhea, a skin rash that moves around (called larva currens), and a raised level of certain immune cells called eosinophils in the blood. However, in people with weakened immune systems — such as those taking steroids, receiving chemotherapy, or living with HIV — the infection can become life-threatening. This dangerous form is called hyperinfection syndrome or disseminated strongyloidiasis, where the worms spread throughout the body and can carry harmful bacteria with them. The good news is that strongyloidiasis is treatable. The main treatment is a medicine called ivermectin, which is highly effective. Early diagnosis and treatment are very important, especially before starting any medication that suppresses the immune system. With proper treatment, most people recover fully.
Also known as:
Key symptoms:
Stomach pain or crampingDiarrhea, sometimes alternating with constipationNauseaA moving, itchy skin rash (called larva currens) that appears and disappears quicklyItchy skin, especially around the buttocks or thighsCough or wheezing (when larvae pass through the lungs)Unexplained weight lossBloatingHigh levels of eosinophils (a type of white blood cell) on a blood testFatigueIn severe cases: fever, severe abdominal pain, confusion, and signs of blood infection (sepsis)
Sporadic
Usually appears on its own, not inherited from a parent
Variable
Can begin at different ages, from infancy through adulthood
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Strongyloidiasis.
View clinical trials →Clinical Trials
View all trials with filters →No actively recruiting trials found for Strongyloidiasis at this time.
New trials open frequently. Follow this disease to get notified.
Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Strongyloidiasis.
Community
No community posts yet. Be the first to share your experience with Strongyloidiasis.
Start the conversation →Latest news about Strongyloidiasis
No recent news articles for Strongyloidiasis.
Follow this condition to be notified when news becomes available.
Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.How do I know if my infection has been fully cleared after treatment?,Do I need to be tested again after finishing my medication, and how soon?,Am I at risk for the severe form of this infection given my current health or medications?,Should other members of my household or close contacts be tested?,Are there any medications I should avoid or discuss with you before taking, given this diagnosis?,What symptoms should prompt me to go to the emergency room?,If I need to start steroids or other immune-suppressing drugs in the future, what precautions should be taken?
Common questions about Strongyloidiasis
What is Strongyloidiasis?
Strongyloidiasis is an infection caused by a tiny parasitic roundworm called Strongyloides stercoralis (and less commonly Strongyloides fuelleborni). Unlike most parasites, this worm has a unique ability to reproduce inside your body, which means an infection can last for decades — even your entire life — without you knowing it. The worm enters the body through the skin, usually by walking barefoot on contaminated soil. It then travels through the bloodstream to the lungs and eventually settles in the small intestine, where it lays eggs and causes ongoing infection. Most people with strongylo
How is Strongyloidiasis inherited?
Strongyloidiasis follows a sporadic inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
Which specialists treat Strongyloidiasis?
14 specialists and care centers treating Strongyloidiasis are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.