Disseminated acanthamoeba infection in a renal transplant recipient: a case report

Acanthamoeba species are free-living amoebae that are the causative agents of chronic granulomatous meningoencephalitis, amoebic keratitis, pulmonary lesions, cutaneous lesions and sinusitis. Immunocompromised individuals are particularly susceptible to infections with Acanthamoeba, which can be disseminated at times. We herewith report the autopsy findings of disseminated Acanthamoeba infection in a 36-year-old female, a renal transplant recipient on immunosupressants for last four years. Central nervous system showed Acanthamoeba associated chronic granulomatous meningoencephalitis, with predominant perivascular infiltrate of amoebic cysts, trophozoites and inflammatory cells. Both lungs and pancreas also showed infiltration with Acanthamoeba.