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06:15
Murine Intrapulmonary Tracheal Transplantation: A Model for Investigating Obliterative Airway Disease After Lung Transplantation
Published on: November 10, 2023
Disseminated acanthamoebiasis after lung transplantation
Alexander G Duarte1, Farooq Sattar, Bruno Granwehr
1Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas 77555-0561, USA.
Summary
Disseminated Acanthamoeba infection is a rare but fatal complication in lung transplant recipients, often starting with skin lesions. Early diagnosis and combination antimicrobial therapy are crucial to prevent severe outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Transplantation Immunology
- Parasitology
Background:
- Protozoan infections are uncommon in organ transplant recipients.
- Acanthamoeba infections pose a rare but significant risk in immunocompromised individuals.
Observation:
- A fatal case of disseminated acanthamoebiasis occurred in a bilateral lung transplant recipient.
- The patient presented with cutaneous lesions, respiratory failure, and seizures.
Findings:
- Cutaneous lesions, characterized by non-healing ulcers and granulomatous inflammation, can be an early sign of Acanthamoeba infection in transplant recipients with water exposure.
- These skin manifestations may herald systemic dissemination.
Implications:
- Prompt recognition of cutaneous lesions in transplant recipients is vital for diagnosing Acanthamoeba.
- Early combination antimicrobial therapy is essential to prevent lethal spread, particularly to the central nervous system.
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