Larva Currens and Systemic Disease

Of 26 patients infested with Strongyloides stercoralis 10 (38.5%) were asymptomatic without systemic or cutaneous signs. Nine patients (34.6%) presented with systemic complaints only and seven patients (26.9%) had systemic and cutaneous manifestations. Further observations of the skin lesions on four of those with systemic and cutaneous manifestations revealed linear urticarial bands, extending to several centimeters within 1 hour and persisting up to many days, waiting and waning. Blood examination showed eosinophilia in all patients. These findings confirm the concept that larva currens even alone should be considered a cutaneous sign of systemic disease.