Disseminated acanthamoebiasis after lung transplantation.
Protozoan infections in organ transplant recipients are rare. We report a fatal case of disseminated acanthamoebiasis in a bilateral lung transplant recipient that presented with cutaneous lesions, respiratory failure, and seizures. Acanthamoeba infection may be identified in transplant recipients with exposure to water who develop non-healing cutaneous ulcers with granulomatous inflammation. Cutaneous lesions are the initial manifestation of infection and a harbinger of dissemination. Early institution of combination anti-microbial therapy is therefore necessary for effective treatment and prevention of lethal spread to the central nervous system.
Duarte
Alexander G
AG
Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas 77555-0561, USA.
Sattar
Farooq
F
Granwehr
Bruno
B
Aronson
Judith F
JF
Wang
Zhiqin
Z
Lick
Scott
S
D000048:Acanthamoeba / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification; D000562:Amebiasis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D000818:Animals; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004198:Disease Susceptibility / Q000469:parasitology*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D008174:Lung Diseases, Parasitic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D016040:Lung Transplantation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009894:Opportunistic Infections / Q000469:parasitology; D011183:Postoperative Complications
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents