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Discovery of New Intracellular Pathogens by Amoebal Coculture and Amoebal Enrichment Approaches

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Published on: October 27, 2013

Infections with free-living amebae.

Govinda S Visvesvara¹

¹Division of Foodborne, Waterborne & Environmental Diseases, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.

Handbook of Clinical Neurology

|July 9, 2013

Summary

Free-living amebae like Acanthamoeba, Balamuthia, and Naegleria cause serious central nervous system infections. This review covers their biology, diseases (GAE and PAM), diagnosis, and epidemiology.

Keywords:

Acanthamoeba spp.Balamuthia mandrillaris Naegleria fowleri Sappinia pedata granulomatous amebic encephalitis primary amebic meningoencephalitis

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Area of Science:

Medical Microbiology
Infectious Diseases
Parasitology

Background:

Free-living amebae (FLA) such as Acanthamoeba spp., Balamuthia mandrillaris, and Naegleria fowleri are pathogenic eukaryotes capable of causing severe infections in humans and animals.
These amebae infect the central nervous system (CNS), leading to distinct clinical syndromes with varying prognoses.

Observation:

Acanthamoeba spp. cause chronic granulomatous amebic encephalitis (GAE), particularly in immunocompromised individuals, and also Acanthamoeba keratitis. Balamuthia mandrillaris causes GAE in both immunocompromised and immunocompetent hosts, affecting disseminated organs.
Naegleria fowleri is responsible for acute, rapidly fatal primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) in young individuals exposed to warm freshwater.
Sappinia pedata has been implicated in a single case of amebic meningoencephalitis.

Findings:

The review details the biology, clinical presentations, and diagnostic methods for GAE and PAM.
Epidemiological factors contributing to these infections are discussed.
Understanding the pathogenesis and transmission is crucial for effective management.

Implications:

This comprehensive review aids in understanding the diverse clinical spectrum and diagnostic challenges posed by pathogenic free-living amebae.
It highlights the need for increased awareness and improved diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for these rare but devastating infections.
Further research into the biology and epidemiology of these amebae is warranted to develop targeted interventions.