Pathogenic Acanthamoeba T4 Genotype Isolated from Mucosal Tissue of a Patient with HIV Infection: A Case Report

Opportunistic infections due to free-living amoebae such as Granulomatous Amoebic Encephalitis (GAE), cutaneous acanthamoebiasis and disseminated infections could be the causative agent of mortality in people living with HIV/AIDS. In this study, we report the occurrence of the Acanthamoeba belonging to the T4 genotype isolated from nasal and oral swabs of a 15-yr-old man with HIV infection. HIV was confirmed using ELISA kit and RT-PCR assay. The isolated strain showed pathogenic potential using thermo and osmotolerance assays. This patient might be vulnerable to develop GAE or disseminated infections and depending on the immunologic status of the patient, this could be a health threat. Monitoring of such patients, appropriate diagnostic procedures and improved-HIV related care can alter the outcome of such infections.