Disseminated <i>Acanthamoeba</i> infection with sporotrichoid nodules

Readinger, Allison; Blumberg, Mark; Colome‐Grimmer, Maria; Kelly, Erica

doi:10.1111/j.1365-4632.2006.02850.x

Cited by 9 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…Cutaneous disease may be the only clue to the presence of systemic involvement. Including the patient reported here, a total of 11 cases have described cutaneous signs of disseminated acanthamoebiasis in transplant recipients (Table 1) (4, 5, 7, 9–11, 15, 22–24); to our knowledge, this is the first case in a liver transplant recipient. The cutaneous findings confirmed by skin biopsy include papules, pustules, and subcutaneous nodules with overlying erythema.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 96%

“…Acanthamoeba species are free‐living organisms that can be isolated from soil, fresh water, salt water, and bottled mineral water, as well as from various ventilation and heating systems worldwide. Despite their ubiquitous nature, only 37 cases of disseminated acanthamoebiasis in immunocompromised patients have been described in the literature (4–26). With advances in new and more potent therapies used to combat malignancy, organ rejection, autoimmune disease, and GVHD, accompanied by profound immunosuppression, an increased incidence of Acanthamoeba and other rare opportunistic infections are anticipated.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Lesions can be tender or nontender. One case of ‘sporotrichoid’ nodules in a lung transplant recipient and 1 case of osteomyelitis in a renal transplant recipient have also been described (10, 15). Another report describes tender, firm, pink 1.0 cm nodules with purulent drainage on the tongue, back, extremities, and neck (23).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Fatal disseminated Acanthamoeba infection in a liver transplant recipient immunocompromised by combination therapies for graft-versus-host disease

Young

LeBoeuf

Tsiouris

et al. 2010

Transplant Infectious Disease

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Immunosuppressed solid organ transplant recipients are at increased risk for acquisition of opportunistic pathogens, with potentially fatal consequences. With the introduction of novel immunosuppressive agents used to prevent organ rejection and to treat the sequelae of transplantation, severity and rates of infection with unusual opportunistic pathogens may increase. Various monoclonal antibodies are now being used in the treatment of severe, acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), including rituximab, daclizumab, and alemtuzumab. These therapies, particularly when used in combination and with other traditional forms of immunosuppression, may have profound effects on the immune system. Acanthamoeba species are ubiquitous, free-living protozoa that rarely cause disseminated disease in the immunocompromised host. We report a fatal case of disseminated Acanthamoeba infection with a dramatic cutaneous presentation in a liver transplant recipient severely immunocompromised by sequential standard and novel therapies used to successfully treat life-threatening acute GVHD. This case illustrates the current major limitation of these therapies, discusses the cutaneous findings in disseminated acanthamoebiasis, and highlights the need to maintain vigilance for the presence of unusual infection in patients receiving similar therapeutic regimens.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%