Strongyloides stercoralis Infection Causing Obstructive Jaundice and Refractory Pancreatitis: A Lesson Learned from a Case Study

Intractable biliary obstruction after TIPS creation treated by magnet-assisted endoscopic biliary-duodenal anastomosis

BACKGROUND

Though biliary obstruction is a common clinical situation, it is rarely caused by transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) placement. When TIPS-induced intractable biliary obstruction happens, liver transplantation seems to be the only resort to cure this condition.

METHODS

Herein, we describe a patient who suffered from intractable biliary obstruction following TIPS placement.

RESULTS

The patient was finally cured by magnet-assisted endoscopic biliary-duodenal anastomosis, without further requirement of liver transplantation. After more than 6 months of follow-up, this patient recovered well, and recurrence of biliary obstruction was not observed.

CONCLUSION

We showed that magnet-assisted endoscopic biliary-duodenal anastomosis is a safe method, which is easy to perform and worthy of popularizing.

Status of Strongyloidiasis in Japan, 2000-2017

We reported 865 cases of soil-transmitted nematodiasis occurring in Japan during 2000-2017. The predominant nematode was Strongyloides stercoralis (n = 279, 32.3% of all cases), and other species included Ascaris lumbricoides (30.7%), Trichuris trichiura (23.1%), and Ancylostomidae spp. (13.9%). Strongyloides stercoralis was detected primarily in patients in Okinawa and Kagoshima prefectures, which are in the south of Japan and are endemic areas for this parasitic infection, and also in about half of the prefectures of all Japan. At least 15.5 cases of strongyloidiasis occurred on average each year. The period incidence rate of strongyloidiasis cases relative to the total population of Japan was 0.012 cases per 10⁵ person-years. The male-to-female ratio was 2.1. The average age was 75.1 ± 16.9 years, and 96.1% of patients were older than 50 years. Several reasons may explain why this previously non-endemic outside of Okinawa region, serious nematode disease is now found in much of Japan, including the increased number of transmigration and sightseeing trips in Japan, use of immunosuppressive drugs, and lack of awareness of the risks. Thus, information of strongyloidiasis and its risks must be disseminated to travelers, residents, and physicians to prevent this life-threatening parasite infection.

Biliary Strongyloides stercoralis With Cholecystitis and Extensive Portal Vein Thrombosis

We report the rare finding of Strongyloides stercoralis rhabditiform larvae in biliary fluid, here associated with cholecystitis and near total portal vein thrombosis. The role of S. stercoralis leading to atypical clinical presentations and difficulty diagnosing strongyloidiasis in such patients with appropriate geographic exposure is discussed.