Strongyloides stercoralis: un geohelminto olvidado

Strongyloides stercoralis is an intestinal parasite who lives in the submucosa of the hosts. It has considered as a geohelminth that develops a part of its life cycle on soil under conditions of temperature and humidity common to tropical countries. There are an estimated of 30 to 100 million people infected with this nematode globally, making it of medical importance worldwide. This parasite has been forgotten in Colombia, because although for World Health Organization/Pan American Health Organization are a priority the eradication of neglected diseases, including geohelminth infections, for 2015, Strongyloides stercoralis has not been included in geohelminth group by this organizations. Therefore, it is out of searching, diagnosis, and treatment. Additionally, the diagnosis of this parasite is controversially, because currently laboratories employ the conventional direct microscopic examination to make the diagnostic of Stongyloides stercoralis, a technique that previously reported with low sensitivity for this parasitism. In addition, it has been determined that the isolation in agar plate is the technique of choice for diagnosis, because it reaches sensitivity between 78% and 100% and it is an easy and applicable technique for any clinical diagnostic laboratory. The aim of this review is to make an approximation to the epidemiology, life cycle, clinical and diagnosis of Strongyloides stercoralis, a medically important parasite in our country.