To assess the risk of Strongyloides stercoralis transmission from two patients with disseminated strongyloidiasis to medical staff who had been in close contact with the patients, blood and stool specimens were obtained from medical staff two to three months after close contact with the patients. Antibodies to S. stercoralis were determined in blood. Stool specimens were tested for parasites with three different procedures.Forty-one medical staff were included. Culture and stool examination were negative in all subjects. Serology was negative in all subjects but one who had a borderline titer without signs or symptoms of strongyloidiasis. No evidence of transmission of S. stercoralis from patients with disseminated strongyloidiasis to medical staff was found.
Copyright 2001 The Hospital Infection Society.