Acanthamoeba Infection and Nasal Rinsing, United States, 1994-2022

Emerg Infect Dis. 2024 Apr;30(4):783-785. doi: 10.3201/eid3004.231076.

Abstract

We describe 10 patients with nonkeratitis Acanthamoeba infection who reported performing nasal rinsing before becoming ill. All were immunocompromised, 7 had chronic sinusitis, and many used tap water for nasal rinsing. Immunocompromised persons should be educated about safe nasal rinsing to prevent free-living ameba infections.

Keywords: Acanthamoeba; United States; amebae; granulomatous amebic encephalitis; nasal rinsing; parasites; tap water.

MeSH terms

  • Amebiasis* / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Immunocompromised Host
  • Nose*
  • United States / epidemiology