Granulomatous amoebic encephalitis overview: Difference between revisions
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The Balamuthia amoeba is able to infect anyone, including healthy people[1-6]. Those at increased risk for infection[1-4,6,10] include people with [[HIV]]/[[AIDS]], [[cancer]], liver disease, or [[diabetes mellitus]], people taking immune system inhibiting drugs, [[Alcoholism|alcoholics]], young children or the elderly and [[pregnancy|pregnant women.]]<ref name="pmid15211011">{{cite journal |author=Intalapaporn P, Suankratay C, Shuangshoti S, Phantumchinda K, Keelawat S, Wilde H |title=Balamuthia mandrillaris meningoencephalitis: the first case in southeast Asia |journal=[[The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene]] |volume=70 |issue=6 |pages=666–9 |year=2004 |month=June |pmid=15211011 |doi= |url=}}</ref>. | The Balamuthia amoeba is able to infect anyone, including healthy people[1-6]. Those at increased risk for infection[1-4,6,10] include people with [[HIV]]/[[AIDS]], [[cancer]], liver disease, or [[diabetes mellitus]], people taking immune system inhibiting drugs, [[Alcoholism|alcoholics]], young children or the elderly and [[pregnancy|pregnant women.]]<ref name="pmid15211011">{{cite journal |author=Intalapaporn P, Suankratay C, Shuangshoti S, Phantumchinda K, Keelawat S, Wilde H |title=Balamuthia mandrillaris meningoencephalitis: the first case in southeast Asia |journal=[[The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene]] |volume=70 |issue=6 |pages=666–9 |year=2004 |month=June |pmid=15211011 |doi= |url=}}</ref>. | ||
==Causes== | |||
Balamuthia mandrillaris has only recently been isolated from the environment and has also been isolated from autopsy specimens of infected humans and animals. B. mandrillaris has only two stages, [[cyst]]s and [[trophozoites]] , in its life cycle. No flagellated stage exists as part of the life cycle. The [[trophozoites]] replicate by [[mitosis]] (nuclear membrane does not remain intact) . The trophozoites are the infective forms, although both [[cyst]]s and [[trophozoites]] gain entry into the body through various means. Entry can occur through the nasal passages to the lower respiratory tract , or ulcerated or broken skin . When B. mandrillaris enters the respiratory system or through the [[skin]], it can invade the [[central nervous system]] by hematogenous dissemination causing [[granulomatous amebic encephalitis]] (GAE) or disseminated disease , or skin lesions in individuals who are immune competent as well as those with compromised immune systems. B. mandrillaris [[cyst]]s and [[trophozoites]] are found in tissue. | |||
==References== | ==References== |
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Granulomatous amoebic encephalitis is a central nervous system disease caused by certain species of amoeba, especially Balamuthia mandrillaris.[1]
Pathophysiology
Granulomatous amoebic encephalitis is most commonly caused by Acanthamoeba castellanii, A. culbertsoni, A. polyphaga or Balamuthia mandrillaris.[2] It is rarely due to Entamoeba histolytica.
Epidemiology and Demographics
Balamuthia infection is very rare but often causes fatal disease[1]. Since Balamuthia was first discovered in 1986, about 200 cases of infection have been reported worldwide[2,3,4]. This number includes at least 70 confirmed cases in the United States.
Risk Factors
The Balamuthia amoeba is able to infect anyone, including healthy people[1-6]. Those at increased risk for infection[1-4,6,10] include people with HIV/AIDS, cancer, liver disease, or diabetes mellitus, people taking immune system inhibiting drugs, alcoholics, young children or the elderly and pregnant women.[1].
Causes
Balamuthia mandrillaris has only recently been isolated from the environment and has also been isolated from autopsy specimens of infected humans and animals. B. mandrillaris has only two stages, cysts and trophozoites , in its life cycle. No flagellated stage exists as part of the life cycle. The trophozoites replicate by mitosis (nuclear membrane does not remain intact) . The trophozoites are the infective forms, although both cysts and trophozoites gain entry into the body through various means. Entry can occur through the nasal passages to the lower respiratory tract , or ulcerated or broken skin . When B. mandrillaris enters the respiratory system or through the skin, it can invade the central nervous system by hematogenous dissemination causing granulomatous amebic encephalitis (GAE) or disseminated disease , or skin lesions in individuals who are immune competent as well as those with compromised immune systems. B. mandrillaris cysts and trophozoites are found in tissue.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Intalapaporn P, Suankratay C, Shuangshoti S, Phantumchinda K, Keelawat S, Wilde H (2004). "Balamuthia mandrillaris meningoencephalitis: the first case in southeast Asia". The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. 70 (6): 666–9. PMID 15211011. Unknown parameter
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ignored (help) - ↑ Martinez AJ, Visvesvara GS, Chandler FW. Free-living amebic infections. Chapter 132 in Pathology of Infectious Diseases, 1997, Connor DH, Chandler FW, Manz HJ, Schwartz DA, Lack EE, eds., Stamford, Appleton & Lange, pp 1163-1176.