2002 Volume 66 Issue 6 Pages 613-614
A 63-year-old Taiwan aboriginal male was admitted with exertional dyspnea, appetite loss and general fatigue. Echocardiography revealed moderate pericardial effusion and histological examination of the pericardiocentesis sample revealed an eosinophil-dominated bloody exudate. The larvae of Strongyloides stercoralis were detected in the pericardial specimen. After treatment with anti-nematodal agents, the eosinophilia decreased from 26% to 1% and the patient's symptoms improved. This is a rare case of Strongyloides-induced bloody pericardial effusion in a non-immunosuppressed patient. (Circ J 2002; 66: 613 - 614)