baptiste bavay, chief inspector for health, who observed that these were the adult forms of the larvae found in the stool. in 1883 the german parasitologist rudolf leuckart made initial observations on the life cycle of the parasite, and belgian physician paul van durme (building on observations by the german parasitologist arthur looss) described the mode of infection through the skin. the german parasitologist friedrich fülleborn described autoinfection and the way by which strongyloidiasis involves the intestine. interest in the condition increased in the 1940s when it was discovered that those who had acquired the infection abroad and then received immunosuppression developed hyperinfestation syndrome.