Inability to make a premortem diagnosis of Acanthamoeba species infection in a patient with fatal granulomatous amebic encephalitis.
Granulomatous amebic encephalitis (GAE), an infection of immunocompromised hosts, is almost uniformly fatal. A case of GAE in a patient who failed to mount a serologic response to Acanthamoeba polyphaga is presented. Although Acanthamoeba polyphaga that is sensitive to multiple antimicrobials grew from brain tissue, an inability to make a premortem diagnosis precluded therapy.
Bloch
Karen C
KC
Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, A-2200 MCN, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232-2605, USA. Karen.bloch@vanderbilt.edu
Schuster
Frederick L
FL
D000048:Acanthamoeba / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D000368:Aged; D000562:Amebiasis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000469:parasitology; D000818:Animals; D004660:Encephalitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000469:parasitology*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006099:Granuloma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000469:parasitology*; D006801:Humans