Diagnostic accuracy of five serologic tests for Strongyloides stercoralis infection.

Background: The diagnosis of Strongyloides stercoralis (S. stercoralis) infection is hampered by the suboptimal sensitivity of fecal-based tests. Serological methods are believed to be more sensitive, although assessing their accuracy is difficult because of the lack of sensitivity of a fecal-based reference ("gold") standard.

Acute strongyloidiasis in Italian tourists returning from Southeast Asia.

Strongyloidiasis is a soil-transmitted helmithiasis with worldwide distribution. Contrary to chronic form, hyperinfestation and life-threatening dissemination, first (invasive) stages of the disease are not well characterized. This paper describes two cases of acute strongyloidiasis in travelers returning from Southeast Asia and highlights the need to take strongyloidiasis into account also among acute travel-related illnesses.