Granulomatous amebic encephalitis caused by Acanthamoeba in an immuncompetent child

Sutcu M., Akturk H., Gulumser-Sisko S., Acar M., Erol O. B., Somer A., ...Daha Fazla

TURKISH JOURNAL OF PEDIATRICS, cilt.60, sa.3, ss.340-343, 2018 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 60 Sayı: 3
  • Basım Tarihi: 2018
  • Doi Numarası: 10.24953/turkjped.2018.03.019
  • Dergi Adı: TURKISH JOURNAL OF PEDIATRICS
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, TR DİZİN (ULAKBİM)
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.340-343
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: Acanthanzoeba, child, granulomatous amebic encephalitis, immunconzpetent, FREE-LIVING AMEBAS, SPP., MENINGITIS
  • İstanbul Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Acanthamoeba may lead to granulomatous amebic encephalitis (GAE) with high mortality rates generally in patients with immunosupression and/or chronic disease. Here, we present a rare GAE case, who was a previously healthy child. A Georgian 9 year old boy presented with focal seizure on his left arm and confusion. Since computed tomography (CT) demonstrated hypodense lesion on right occipital lobe, brain biopsy was performed. Histopathological examination of the biopsy material revealed Acanthamoeba cysts and trophozoites together with granulomatous inflammation. The patient, who had no clinical and laboratory findings consistent with immunedeficiency, was diagnosed as GAE. He was treated with a combination drug therapy. Even if it is very rare, amebic meningoencephalitis may also be seen in immunocompetent children, as in our case. Definitive diagnosis is made by microbiological and histopathological examination of brain biopsy material.