An unusual cause of eosinophilic pleural effusion and migrating biliary stenosis: Strongyloides stercoralis infection in a young immunocompetent man

Abstract

We present the case of a 33-year-old Italian man who came to our attention for epigastralgia associated with polyserositis (pleural, pericardial, and peritoneal effusion with the involvement of the Douglas excavation), in the absence of a significant medical history. Laboratory analysis revealed exudative eosinophilic pleural effusion; serial imaging techniques showed a transient stenosis of the right hepatic duct and a subsequent stenosis of the left hepatic duct. After several negative serological investigations, a positive anti-strongyloides immunoglobulin G antibodies titer rose suspicions of Strongyloides infection, which was confirmed by positive stool sample for parasite. Ivermectin-therapy was started and the patient has fully recovered.