Primary pulmonary amoebiasis complicated with right-sided pneumothorax and multicystic empyema: A case report

• Author Details:   
• Nidhi Mihirkumar Bhalodia
• Mihirkumar J Bhalodia ^*
• Himani Pandya
• Tanuja Javadekar
• Sucheta Lakhani

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Amoebiasis is the most common parasitic infection caused by the protozoan Entamoeba histolytica. Around 90% of the infections are asymptomatic, and in the majority of the cases, the common clinical manifestation is amoebic dysentery. The most common site of extraintestinal invasion is the liver, and in some rare cases, amoebiasis can affect the brain, heart, spleen, and lungs. Here we present a case of a 38-year-old female patient with a complaint of dyspnea and fever since 1 week. The chest X-ray (PA view) revealed right-sided pneumothorax with mediastinal shift. A CT scan revealed a thin-walled, well-defined lesion in the bilateral posterior costal pleura. A cavitary lesion was noted in the right upper lobe. CT-guided percutaneous aspiration drainage was done. The wet mount preparation of aspirated fluid showed trophozoites with pseudopodia and few cysts. An integrated approach is required for diagnosing pulmonary amoebiasis, which includes clinical manifestations, radiological findings and microscopic investigation.  Amoebiasis is treatable, but early diagnosis is imperative to reduce morbidity and mortality.

Keywords: Pulmonary amoebiasis, Protozoan, Entamoeba histolytica