Respiratory Failure Due to Strongyloides stercoralis Hyperinfection: A Case Report of a Neglected Tropical Disease

We report the case of a 25-year-old male patient admitted to the intensive care unit due to respiratory failure. The patient presented to the Emergency Department with shortness of breath, productive cough, and fever and was initially treated empirically for suspected community-acquired pneumonia of bacterial origin. Despite treatment, his condition worsened, necessitating invasive mechanical ventilation. Laboratory investigations revealed marked eosinophilia, prompting microbiological examinations. <i>Strongyloides stercoralis</i> was detected on microscopic examination of the endotracheal aspirate. The patient was subsequently diagnosed with eosinophilic pneumonia due to an <i>S. stercoralis</i> hyperinfection. Although <i>S. stercoralis</i> hyperinfection is often an overlooked cause of severe respiratory failure, it should be considered in patients with marked eosinophilia, particularly when accompanied by epidemiological risk factors. Appropriate and timely utilization of diagnostic testing is essential to establish the correct diagnosis.