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Am. J. Trop. Med. Hyg., 33(1), 1984, pp. 55-61
Copyright © 1984 by The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

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Chronic Strongyloidiasis in World War II Far East Ex-Prisoners of War*

Lawrence L. Pelletier, Jr.
Medical Service, Wichita Veterans Administration Center and Department of Medicine, University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita, Wichita, Kansas 67218

Fifty-two of 142 (37%) American ex-prisoners of war that worked on the Burma-Thailand Railroad during World War II were found to have previously unrecognized symptomatic Strongyloides stercoralis infections. A characteristic urticarial creeping skin eruption on the abdomen, buttocks and thighs occurred in 92%. Infection was also associated with pruritus ani, abdominal pain, indigestion, heartburn, and diarrhea. Demonstration of larvae in ether-formalin stool concentrates in these chronic low density infections required 5 hours of microscopy per case to detect 90% of positive cases. Therapy with thiabendazole resulted in a clinical cure in 93% and a microscopic cure in 100%; but was associated with frequent side effects. Chronic strongyloidiasis should be considered in veterans of Far East conflicts and in others with intimate soil contact in rural Strongyloides stercoralis-endemic areas who present with recurrent creeping skin eruption, abdominal pain, and eosinophilia.

Accepted for publication June 21, 1983.


* Supported by the Veterans Administration Research Service.

Address reprint requests to: L. L. Pelletier, Jr., M.D., Medical Service (111), Wichita Veterans Administration Medical Center, 5500 East Kellogg, Wichita, Kansas 67218.




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G.V. Gill, E. Welch, J.W. Bailey, D.R. Bell, and N.J. Beeching
Chronic Strongyloides stercoralis infection in former British Far East prisoners of war
QJM, December 1, 2004; 97(12): 789 - 795.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


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Copyright © 1984 by the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.