L-dopa malabsorption in a parkinsonian patient with Strongyloides stercoralis duodenitis

M Gatto; M Fernandez Pardal; M Melero; C Zurru; C Scorticati; F Micheli

L-dopa malabsorption in a parkinsonian patient with Strongyloides stercoralis duodenitis

Clin Neuropharmacol. 1994 Feb;17(1):96-8.

Authors

M Gatto¹, M Fernandez Pardal, M Melero, C Zurru, C Scorticati, F Micheli

Affiliation

¹ Department of Neurology, Hospital de Clinicas J. de San Martin, University of Buenos Aires, Argentina.

PMID: 8149365

Abstract

We report a parkinsonian patient initially responding to L-dopa who developed a severe loss of drug efficacy due to Strongyloides stercoralis duodenitis. The patient was put on mebendazole and metronidazole, and the parasitosis abated, allowing L-dopa reduction by 33%. Our patient illustrates the advisability of searching for Strongyloides stercoralis when L-dopa malabsorption is suspected in Parkinson's disease.

Publication types

Case Reports

MeSH terms

Aged
Animals
Duodenitis / complications
Duodenitis / metabolism*
Duodenitis / parasitology
Humans
Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / metabolism*
Levodopa / pharmacokinetics*
Levodopa / therapeutic use
Male
Mebendazole / therapeutic use
Metronidazole / therapeutic use
Parkinson Disease / complications*
Parkinson Disease / drug therapy
Parkinson Disease / metabolism
Strongyloides stercoralis*
Strongyloidiasis / complications
Strongyloidiasis / metabolism*

Substances

Metronidazole
Levodopa
Mebendazole