What to know
- Acanthamoeba can cause rare but very serious infections, especially in people with weakened immune systems.
- Nasal or sinus rinsing with unsafe water might increase the risk of an Acanthamoeba infection.
- See a healthcare provider if you have symptoms of an Acanthamoeba infection.
Overview
Acanthamoeba can enter the skin through a cut or a wound or by breathing it into the nostrils and lungs. Once inside the body, Acanthamoeba can travel through the bloodstream to other parts of the body, causing serious infections of the brain, skin, sinuses, and other organ systems.
Non-keratitis Acanthamoeba infections occur more frequently in people with weakened immune systems, including those with:
- Cancer
- HIV/AIDS
- History of organ or stem cell transplant
- Diabetes
- Other immunocompromising conditions
Types
Brain infection caused by Acanthamoeba
Acanthamoeba can cause a rare infection of the brain called granulomatous amebic encephalitis (GAE). GAE is almost always fatal.
Symptoms of GAE may progress over several weeks and include:
- Confusion or other changes in mental status
- Fever
- Seizures
- Loss of balance and bodily control
- Impaired speech, vision, or hearing
- Headache
- Nausea and vomiting
Other kinds of infections
- Acanthamoeba rhinosinusitis, a sinus infection
- Cutaneous acanthamoebiasis, a skin infection
- Disseminated infection that can affect one or many organs in the body. GAE, cutaneous acanthamoebaiasis, and Acanthamoeba rhinosinusitis can all spread to cause disseminated infections.
Prevention
Unfortunately, at this point, it is unclear what steps can be taken to prevent GAE and other types of non-keratitis Acanthamoeba infections.
Some cases of GAE and severe sinus infections caused by Acanthamoeba have been linked to nasal or sinus rinsing. If you rinse your sinuses for health or religious reasons, always use sterile water, distilled water, or boiled tap water to prevent infection with Acanthamoeba and other germs.
Treatment
See your healthcare provider right way if you think you have an Acanthamoeba infection. Early diagnosis, especially for people with a weakened immune system, offers the best chance of a cure.
Skin and sinus infections caused by Acanthamoeba are often treatable. However, they can spread to other parts of the body, which can make them harder to treat.
GAE and disseminated infection can be difficult to diagnose and are often at an advanced stage when they are. Although GAE is usually fatal, several patients with the infection have been successfully treated.