Strongyloidiasis in immigrants and refugees in Canada.

Strongyloides stercoralis is an intes tinal roundworm transmitted primarily through barefoot skin exposure in the tropics or subtropics. Acute infection may present with papular rash, cough or wheezing, and gastrointestinal symptoms.1 Manifestations of chronic infection are present in up to half of infected patients and may include abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, recurrent asthma, a Löffler-like syndrome, larva currens (Figure 1) or pruritis ani. Eosinophilia may be absent. Figure 1: Larva currens rash of strongyloidiasis. Screening for strongyloidiasis is recommended in Canada for refugees from Southeast Asia and Africa and is strongly suggested for immigrants from endemic countries