Primary Pulmonary Amebiasis Complicated with Multicystic Empyema

Abstract

Amebiasis is a parasitic infection caused by the protozoan Entamoeba histolytica. While most infections are asymptomatic, the disease could manifest clinically as amebic dysentery and/or extraintestinal invasion in the form of amebic liver abscess or other more rare manifestations such as pulmonary, cardiac, or brain involvement. Herein we are reporting a case of a 24-year-old male with history of Down syndrome who presented with severe right side pneumonia complicated with multicystic empyema resistant to regular medical therapy. Further investigation revealed a positive pleural fluid for E. histolytica cysts and trophozoites. The patient was diagnosed with primary pleuropulmonary amebiasis and he responded promptly to surgical drainage and metronidazole therapy. In patients from endemic areas all physicians should keep a high index of suspicion of amebiasis as a cause of pulmonary disease.

Protozoan Cysts in Faecal Pellets of German Cockroaches (Blattella germanica), with Particular Emphasis on Lophomonas blattarum

“…We have postulated that cysts may be inhaled and cause respiratory disease in humans [ 33 ]. Protozoal cysts, such as those of E. histolytica, were identified on the body surface of 17% of 430 American cockroaches [ 34 ], and inhalation of dust containing cysts of E. histolytica has been proposed as a possible route of primary pulmonary amebiasis [ 35 , 36 ], as well as for L. blattarum [ 16 ]. Experimental mechanical transmission of T. gondii oocysts, S. muris sporocysts, and T. canis eggs from faecal pellets of cockroaches ( B. germanica and P. americana ) to mice and rats (as paratenic hosts) has been demonstrated in the laboratory [ 37 – 39 ].…”

Parasite–bacteria interrelationship

“…Bacterial superinfection is suspected when there is local lymphadenopathy and/or systemic manifestations (Mohrenschlager et al 2007). Staphylococcus Chavez-Tapia et al 2009-Lung -Amoebic lung abscess and pleural empyema Zakaria et al (2016) aureus and group B streptococcus are particularly important, and they have been isolated from the cases of myiasis (Gordon et al 1995). Of note, the inflammation around furuncle-like lesions can be severe enough to be confused with soft tissue bacterial infections such as cellulitis (Hakeem and Bhattacharyya 2009).…”

Genetic Sequence of Drug-Resistant Haemophilus influenza Isolated from Respiratory Tract Infections

“…5 H. influenza type b remains the main concern in developing countries, as the prevalence of invasive infections was much higher than those in the developed countries during the pre-vaccination era. 6 Implementing the H. influenza type b vaccination led to a reduction of the H. influenza type b disease incidence with a relative upsurge in the occurrence of other capsular types (a, c-f) and the non-capsulated strains. 7 Until the recent past, drugs of the penicillin group, like ampicillin/ amoxicillin were commonly applied in empirical treatments of Haemophilus diseases.…”