Abstract
A 68-year-old housewife presented with a 3-month history of an itchy eruption on her trunk and limbs. She was from the Northern Kanto region and had lived in Palau during World War II. Physical examination revealed pruritic papules, edematous erythema and excoriations on the trunk and limbs. Initially, hypereosinophilic syndrome was suspected; however, the diagnostic criteria were not satisfied. Although parasitic larvae were not found in her stool using formalin-ether sedimentation, strongyloides serology was positive: anti-strongyloides stercoralis antibody was(3+)and other anti-strongyloides antibodies were(0)~(2+). Our diagnosis was hypereosinophilia caused by parasitic infections(ex. strongyloidiasis). We administered ivermectin after obtaining her consent and observed a remarkable improvement in her skin condition. There was no recurrence after treatment. With the increasing elderly population, popularity of organic vegetables, pet bleeding and consumption of grilled meats in Japan, we may encounter further cases of parasitic infections, including strongyloidiasis.
