Granulomatous amoebic encephalitis overview: Difference between revisions

Jump to navigation Jump to search
No edit summary
No edit summary
Line 19: Line 19:


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==

Revision as of 15:05, 5 December 2012

Granulomatous amoebic encephalitis Microchapters

Home

Patient Information

Overview

Pathophysiology

Causes

Differentiating Granulomatous amoebic encephalitis from other Diseases

Epidemiology and Demographics

Risk Factors

Natural history, Complications, and Prognosis

Diagnosis

History and Symptoms

Physical Examination

Laboratory Findings

CT

MRI

Other Imaging Findings

Other Diagnostic Studies

Treatment

Medical Therapy

Primary Prevention

Case Studies

Case #1

Granulomatous amoebic encephalitis overview On the Web

Most recent articles

Most cited articles

Review articles

CME Programs

Powerpoint slides

Images

American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Granulomatous amoebic encephalitis overview

All Images
X-rays
Echo & Ultrasound
CT Images
MRI

Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov

US National Guidelines Clearinghouse

NICE Guidance

FDA on Granulomatous amoebic encephalitis overview

CDC on Granulomatous amoebic encephalitis overview

Granulomatous amoebic encephalitis overview in the news

Blogs on Granulomatous amoebic encephalitis overview

Directions to Hospitals Treating Granulomatous amoebic encephalitis

Risk calculators and risk factors for Granulomatous amoebic encephalitis overview

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. 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 |month= ignored (help)
  2. 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.


Template:WikiDoc Sources