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Published on: July 4, 2007
Acanthamoeba encephalitis in patient with systemic lupus, India
Charudatt G Shirwadkar1, Rohini Samant, Milind Sankhe
1P.D. Hinduja National Hospital and Research Centre, Mumbai, India.
Emerging Infectious Diseases
|May 19, 2006
Summary
A fatal case of encephalitis caused by Acanthamoeba, a rare amoeba, occurred in a woman with systemic lupus erythematosus. Diagnosis involved identifying amoebas in brain tissue and confirming Acanthamoeba DNA.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
- Immunology
Background:
- Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease that can increase susceptibility to infections.
- Acanthamoeba is a free-living amoeba found in soil and water, capable of causing severe infections.
Observation:
- A 24-year-old woman from India with a history of SLE presented with encephalitis.
- The patient experienced a fatal outcome due to the severe neurological infection.
Findings:
- Diagnosis was established through immunofluorescence analysis of brain tissue, identifying Acanthamoeba.
- Molecular confirmation was achieved by detecting Acanthamoeba mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene DNA in brain tissue sections.
Implications:
- This case highlights the potential for Acanthamoeba encephalitis in immunocompromised individuals, such as those with SLE.
- Early diagnosis and treatment strategies for Acanthamoeba infections in vulnerable populations require further investigation.
- The findings underscore the importance of considering rare pathogens in the differential diagnosis of encephalitis.
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