Fatal granulomatous Acanthamoeba encephalitis mimicking a stroke, diagnosed by correlation of results of sequential magnetic resonance imaging, biopsy, in vitro culture, immunofluorescence analysis, and molecular analysis.
Amebic infections involving the central nervous system are rare and difficult to diagnose. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at timed intervals may be helpful, where scans reveal enhancing lesions and increased signal. We report a unique case of granulomatous amebic encephalitis that was proven pathologically with progressive radiological findings on MRI.
McKellar
Mehri S
MS
Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City 84132-2405, USA. mehri.mckellar@aidshealth.org
Mehta
Lahar R
LR
Greenlee
John E
JE
Hale
Devon C
DC
Booton
Gregory C
GC
Kelly
Daryl J
DJ
Fuerst
Paul A
PA
Sriram
Rama
R
Visvesvara
Govinda S
GS
D000048:Acanthamoeba / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D000562:Amebiasis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D001706:Biopsy; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology*; D004660:Encephalitis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006099:Granuloma / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D012337:RNA, Ribosomal, 18S / Q000235:genetics; D020521:Stroke / Q000175:diagnosis*
D012337:RNA, Ribosomal, 18S