Abstract

PRIETO, Fiorella Suyo et al. First case report of the Balamuthia mandrillaris in the Camaná district of Arequipa, Peru. Rev. argent. microbiol. [online]. 2021, vol.53, n.2, pp.61-70. ISSN 0325-7541.

Infections by free-living amoebas cause cutaneous and neurological compromise. These conditions have a low frequency, but a high lethality more than 98%. Generally, the clinical picture is nonspecific; the laboratory tests dont help, so it represents a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. In this report, we present the case of a 21-year-old patient, who was hospitalized for a convulsive syndrome with brain tumors, in addition to a cutaneous lesion on the right thigh. Histopathological analysis, PCR and the clinical picture allowed the diagnosis of granulomatous amebic encephalitis. Despite the treatment, the patient had a fatal outcome.

Keywords : Amoebic encephalitis; Free-living amoeba; Balamuthia mandrillaris; Cutaneous Involvement.