PMID: 11908170Mar 23, 2002Paper

Cutaneous acanthamoebiasis in a lung transplant patient

Annales de dermatologie et de vénéréologie
C Van HammeJ M Lachapelle

Abstract

Cutaneous acanthamoebiasis is a rare opportunistic infection in immunocompromised patients, particularly in HIV infected patients. We report a case of a primary cutaneous Acanthamoeba infection, in a patient with a double lung transplant not infected by the HIV. A 38 year-old white man, with a double lung transplant 3 years ago, developed a painful fibrinous ulceration of the right foot, with cellulitis. A few days later, two purplish nodules were observed, surrounded by an inflammatory reaction. Histologic examination revealed trophozoite and cyst forms. Therapy was begun with intravenous pentamidine and itraconazole along with topical ketoconazole and chlorhexidine, but was ineffective. Because of the renal toxicity of pentamidine, the patient was treated by dialysis. He died six months after diagnosis of Acanthamoeba infection. Acanthamoeba, a free-living amoeba is the causative organism of few human diseases. In immunocompromised hosts (particularly HIV infected), besides granulomatous amebic encephalitis, it can provoke some cutaneous lesions such as nodules, pustules, ulcerations... Skin biopsy is diagnostic: numerous amebic trophozoites and cysts are visualized. Recommended treatments are pentamidine, itraconazole and fl...Continue Reading

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

Cellulitis

Cellulitis (erysipelas) is a recurring and debilitating bacterial infection of the skin and underlying tissue. Discover the latest research on cellulitis here.

Amoebiasis

Amoebiasis, infection by the protozoan parasite Entamoeba histolytica, remains a global health problem, despite the availability of effective treatment. Here is the latest research.

Related Papers

The Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation : the Official Publication of the International Society for Heart Transplantation
Alexander G DuarteScott Lick
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology
M S TornoM D Witt
The Laryngoscope
Miguel A Rivera, Tapan A Padhya
© 2022 Meta ULC. All rights reserved