Strongyloides stercoralis, a species of parasitic roundworm, was discovered crawling under a sewer worker’s skin in an unusual instance, according to the University Hospital in Madrid. Before requesting medical help, the 64-year-old guy had mild diarrhea and an itchy rash. Pictures showed outlines of the initial placement of the larvae and how they moved within 24 hours.
“A 64-year-old man with metastatic lung adenocarcinoma had an itchy rash and mild diarrhea develop while he was hospitalized for malignant spinal cord compression,” the journal read.
Photographs of the man’s skin revealed red, welt-like rashes covering his body
He had Strongyloides stercoralis, a parasitic roundworm species typically found in tropical and subtropical areas, according to medical professionals at the University Hospital in Madrid.
Strongyloides stercoralis can go years without showing any symptoms and is usually spread by skin-to-soil contact, according to the New York Post.
In this instance, hormone treatment for malignant spinal cord compression suppressed the man’s immune system, which allowed the parasites to flourish and resulted in a condition known as “hyperinfection.”
There are many larvae present in this potentially fatal disease, which can lead to sepsis and organ failure.
Photographs of the man’s skin revealed red, welt-like rashes covering his body, and doctors drew cartoonish-looking squiggles to represent the initial infection sites.
However, the guy was able to get strong anti-parasitic medication that worked, and his rash and diarrhea went away. According to a hospital spokesperson cited by the New York Post, “the patient’s rash and diarrhoea subsided after treatment with oral Ivermectin.”
Although it is unknown how the sanitation worker acquired the infection, this situation serves as a reminder of the dangers that some professions may present to their employees as well as the value of maintaining good hygiene.