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Published on: September 20, 2018

Unexpected postmortem diagnosis of acanthamoeba meningoencephalitis in an immunocompetent child

Fariba Binesh1, Mehran Karimi, Hossein Navabii

  • 1Department of Pathology, Shahid Sadoghi Hospital, Yazd, Islamic Republic of Iran. binesh44@yahoo.com

BMJ Case Reports
|June 9, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Acanthamoeba meningoencephalitis is a rare and fatal brain infection. This report details the first case in Iran, a 5-year-old girl, highlighting diagnostic and treatment challenges.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Neurology
  • Parasitology

Background:

  • Acanthamoeba spp. cause meningoencephalitis, a rare opportunistic infection.
  • This infection has a high mortality rate and is challenging to diagnose and treat.

Observation:

  • A 5-year-old immunocompetent girl in Iran presented with fulminant meningoencephalitis.
  • The patient ultimately succumbed to the infection.

Findings:

  • This case represents the first documented instance of Acanthamoeba meningoencephalitis in Iran.
  • The fulminant nature of the disease in an immunocompetent host is notable.

Implications:

  • Highlights the need for increased awareness and diagnostic capabilities for Acanthamoeba infections in the region.
  • Underscores the severe prognosis and treatment difficulties associated with Acanthamoeba meningoencephalitis.
  • Contributes to the understanding of rare parasitic infections affecting the central nervous system.

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