Occasional Observation of Acanthamoeba in the Pharynx. A Case Report

Abstract

Acanthamoeba is an opportunistic protozoan free-living widely distributed in nature and is a potential pathogen for Man. It is responsible for pathologies inherent in the CNS, the cornea , the skin, especially in immunocompromised subjects. An adult subject of 70 years old, suffering from acute pharyngitis, was subjected to a cytological sampling of the pharyngeal mucosa by means of the modified Ayre spatula type A from Armone Caruso, to perform either a coloring method according to the May-Grunwald - Giemsa, and observed under the microscope optical with oil immersion at 100 x of fifty fields, that a preparation for observation under the SEM.( Scanning Electron Microscope,). In both observations it was highlighted in the form of trophozoite some rare Acanthamoeba. The subject was observed without that have appeared due to protozoan diseases: in practice it was a casual observation. The clinical case, described occasionally, it shows how the distribution in the environment of these amoebae is very extensive and mainly related to water and become of interest about the health, for the human use of the latter for purposes such as hygiene care, bathing, medical and health applications. The objective of this paper is to provide a starting point to discuss the potential pathogenicity associated with the presence of Acanthamoeba in the water ecosystems. This is for raise the awareness the scientific community and promote environmental control initiatives of this pathogen in both outdoor and indoor environments.