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SIntroFIG 1: The life cycle of Strongyloides stercoralis.
S. stercoralis post-parasitic larvae are a mix of males and females. An S. stercoralis post-parasitic first-stage larva (L1) can follow one of three developmental routes: homogonic (direct) development (female only), heterogonic (indirect) development (male or female), or autoinfective development (female only). A larva entering the heterogonic pathway develops into a free-living male or female adult. All progeny of the free-living adults become infective third-stage larvae (iL3s), which must infect a host to continue the life cycle. A larva entering the homogonic pathway develops directly into an iL3. Once inside a host, iL3s develop into parasitic adults. Finally, a larva that follows the autoinfective route develops into an autoinfective larva (aL3) and ultimately a parasitic adult inside the same host. All developmental pathways involve four larval stages (L1-L4); only the first and third larval stages are depicted. Image is adapted from Castelletto et al., 2021 with permission.
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