Fulminant amebic meningoencephalitis due to Acanthamoeba

A 57-year-old chronically immunosuppressed woman with systemic lupus erythematosus developed fulminant meningoencephalitis due to Acanthamoeba castellanii . Amebic trophozoites were also found in the lungs, suggesting a primary pulmonary focus of infection. This case illustrates that Acanthamoeba can cause a fulminant. rapidly fatal meningoencephalitis, as well as the previously reported chronic granulomatous meningoencephalitis.