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Unexpected Postmortem Diagnosis of Acanthamoeba Meningoencephalitis Following Allogeneic Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation
Author(s) -
Pemán J.,
Jarque I.,
Frasquet J.,
Alberola C.,
Salavert M.,
Sanz J.,
Gomila B.,
Esteban G.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
american journal of transplantation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.89
H-Index - 188
eISSN - 1600-6143
pISSN - 1600-6135
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-6143.2008.02270.x
Subject(s) - autopsy , medicine , meningoencephalitis , acanthamoeba , transplantation , pathology , hematopoietic stem cell transplantation , stem cell , surgery , biology , genetics , microbiology and biotechnology
Meningoencephalitis caused by pathogenic free‐living amebas is usually fatal. Only a few cases of Acanthamoeba meningoencephalitis, diagnosed at autopsy, have been reported following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. We here report a case of Acanthamoeba meningoencephalitis following allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation with rapidly evolving neurologic symptoms that remained unexplained. Magnetic resonance imaging failed to show brain lesions and cerebrospinal fluid was negative for microbiological cultures. Definite diagnosis was an unexpected autopsy finding. As overall and teaching hospital autopsy rates are declining worldwide, we must emphasize the need of autopsy exams if we want to improve our knowledge as the best way to care for our patients.