Fatal granulomatous amoebic encephalitis due to Acanthamoeba sp. with bacterial co-infection in an immunocompetent critically ill patient: A case report and review of the literature.

INTRODUCTION

Free-living amoebae are common, ubiquitous environmental saprophytic protozoa that can cause granulomatous encephalitis and other serious neurological infections. Despite being uncommon, these infections primarily affect immunocompromised patients and have a poor prognosis if treatment and diagnosis are delayed.

CASE PRESENTATION: We describe the case of a 48-year-old woman who was admitted to the hospital due to convulsions linked to a persistent fever, right-sided motor deficit, and consciousness issues. She had no prior medical history. An MRI of the brain showed nodular granulomatous lesions. Microorganisms and cystic formations suggestive of an Acanthamoeba infection were found in the cerebrospinal fluid upon parasitological examination. Twenty-four days after beginning sterol-inhibiting derivative treatment, the patient died.

CONCLUSION

Central nervous system infections caused by free-living amoebae are rare and serious; preventive measures can reduce the incidence of these infections.