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Atrial septal defect presenting as recurrent primary amoebic lung abscess
M Sharma1, H Mehta, S K Sharma
1Department of Cardiology, BMRC, SMS Medical College, Jaipur, India.
Postgraduate Medical Journal
|May 1, 1991
Summary
A middle-aged woman with an atrial septal defect experienced recurrent lung abscesses caused by a rare parasitic infection. Successful treatment with antiamoebic therapy highlights a potential link between congenital heart defects and parasitic lung infections.
Area of Science:
- Medical Parasitology
- Pulmonology
- Cardiology
Background:
- Atrial septal defect (ASD) is a congenital heart condition characterized by a hole between the atria.
- Primary pulmonary amoebic abscesses are rare parasitic infections of the lung.
- Left-to-right shunts in ASD can alter pulmonary blood flow dynamics.
Observation:
- A middle-aged female with a secundum-type ASD presented with a primary pulmonary amoebic abscess.
- The patient responded well to antiamoebic therapy.
- One year later, a similar lung abscess recurred and also responded to treatment.
Findings:
- This case demonstrates a rare instance of recurrent primary parasitic lung infection in a patient with an atrial septal defect.
- The left-to-right shunt associated with ASD may predispose individuals to such rare infections.
- Successful management was achieved with targeted antiamoebic medication.
Implications:
- Highlights the importance of considering rare parasitic infections in patients with congenital heart defects, particularly those with shunts.
- Suggests a potential association between altered pulmonary hemodynamics due to ASD and susceptibility to amoebic lung abscesses.
- Emphasizes the efficacy of antiamoebic therapy in managing these rare pulmonary parasitic infections.