Strongyloidiasis and chronic urticaria.

Introduction Strongyloides stercoralis (Bavay, 1876) is an important cosmopolitan helminth parasite. Human infection varies in regions throughout the world, being heavier in the tropics (Pessoa, 1972). The disease (Cochin China diarrhoea) varies also from mild intestinal discomfort to severe malabsorption syndromes and invasion of the peritoneal cavity and abdominal organs. Fatal cases have been observed, particularly in undernourished children and!or in immuno-suppressed patients (Civantos and Robinson, 1969; Paes, Chieffi and D'Andretta; Neto, 1979; Purtillo, Meyers and Connor, 1974; Rivera et al., 1970). Although intestinal symptoms predominate, unusual bronchopulmonary involvement may be present as well (Rassiga, Lowry and Forman, 1974). Skin manifestations in strongyloidiasis have been described as linear, erythematous urticarial weals restricted to local invasions of the migrating larva currens (Gill, Bell and Reid, 1977; Gill and Bell, 1979). However, besides the strongyloid creeping eruption, non-specific urticaria has also been described in chronic strongyloidiasis (Grove, 1980). In this paper, two patients with strongyloidiasis and chronic urticaria are presented. Possible mechanisms involving eosinophils, IgE, mast cells and chronic urticaria in helminthiasis are discussed.