Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 1, 2026

Chronic, Acute, and Reactivated HIV Infection in Humanized Immunodeficient Mouse Models
09:54

Chronic, Acute, and Reactivated HIV Infection in Humanized Immunodeficient Mouse Models

Published on: December 3, 2019

Amebic osteomyelitis in a child with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome: a case report

D M Selby1, R S Chandra, T A Rakusan

  • 1Department of Pathology, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC 20010-2970, USA. dselby@cnmc.org

Pediatric Pathology & Laboratory Medicine : Journal of the Society for Pediatric Pathology, Affiliated with the International Paediatric Pathology Association
|May 5, 1998
PubMed

Insights

Disseminated Acanthamoeba infection can affect immunocompromised individuals. This case highlights amebic osteomyelitis in a child with human immunodeficiency virus and a history of skin Acanthamoeba infection.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Microbiology
  • Immunology
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Disseminated Acanthamoeba infections typically occur in immunocompromised or debilitated patients.
  • Commonly affected sites include skin, sinuses, and the brain.
  • Previous reports of Acanthamoeba infection in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals are rare, primarily involving adults.

Observation:

  • A 6-year-old child with vertically acquired HIV presented with a 6-month history of cutaneous Acanthamoeba infection.
  • The child subsequently developed amebic osteomyelitis.

Findings:

  • This case represents a rare instance of Acanthamoeba osteomyelitis in a pediatric patient with HIV.
  • The infection disseminated from the skin to the bone.

Implications:

  • This case underscores the potential for disseminated Acanthamoeba infections in pediatric HIV patients.
  • Highlights the importance of considering Acanthamoeba in the differential diagnosis of bone infections in immunocompromised children.
  • Suggests a potential route of dissemination from cutaneous to deep-seated infections in this population.

Related Concept Videos

Immunodeficiency Diseases01:25

Immunodeficiency Diseases

Immunodeficiency disorders are conditions in which the immune system's ability to fight infectious disease and cancer is compromised or entirely absent. The immune system comprises a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to protect the body from potentially harmful invaders. When this system is deficient or not functioning properly, it leaves the body susceptible to infections, diseases, or other complications.
There are three main causes of immunodeficiency disorders...
Sexually Transmitted Infections01:26

Sexually Transmitted Infections

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are diseases transmitted primarily through unsafe sexual interactions. Bacteria, viruses, or parasites cause them and can result in severe health complications if untreated.ChlamydiaThe bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis is responsible for the disease Chlamydia, the most common STI in the United States. This peculiar pathogen requires human cells to reproduce, residing intracellularly. The initial infection often goes unnoticed because it typically does not...
Pulmonary Tuberculosis I01:29

Pulmonary Tuberculosis I

Tuberculosis, often called TB, is a contagious illness primarily caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It mainly affects the lung parenchyma but can also impact other body parts.
Causative Organism
The primary infectious agent causing tuberculosis is Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a slow-growing, acid-fast, aerobic rod that exhibits sensitivity to heat and ultraviolet light. Instances of Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium avium contributing to the development of TB infection are rare.
Mode of...
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever01:26

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) is a severe tick-borne illness caused by Rickettsia rickettsii, a Gram-negative, coccobacillary bacterium. This pathogen is an obligate intracellular parasite, requiring a host cell for replication. Transmission occurs through the bite of an infected tick. In the United States, the most important vectors are Dermacentor variabilis (American dog tick) and Dermacentor andersoni (Rocky Mountain wood tick), though other tick species may also serve as vectors.
Cryptococcal Meningitis01:27

Cryptococcal Meningitis

Cryptococcal meningitis is a life-threatening opportunistic infection predominantly associated with HIV/AIDS, accounting for over 100,000 deaths annually worldwide. However, it also affects individuals with other forms of immunosuppression, including those undergoing immunosuppressive therapy, organ transplant recipients, patients with innate immunodeficiencies, and individuals with hematological disorders. The infection is caused mainly by Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii,...
Amebiasis01:28

Amebiasis

Entamoeba histolytica, a protozoan parasite, is responsible for intestinal and extraintestinal amebiasis. Though a significant proportion of infections remain asymptomatic, approximately 50 million individuals annually are estimated to present with clinical disease, resulting in up to 100,000 deaths globally. The disease burden is disproportionately high in regions with lower socioeconomic status, such as parts of India, Africa, Mexico, and Latin America.Etiology and TransmissionThe infective...