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Visualizing Impairment of the Endothelial and Glial Barriers of the Neurovascular Unit during Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis In Vivo
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Challenges and advances in the medical treatment of granulomatous amebic encephalitis

Natasha Spottiswoode1, Julia C Haston2, Natasha W Hanners3

  • 1Division of Infectious Diseases, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.

Therapeutic Advances in Infectious Disease
|February 5, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Granulomatous amebic encephalitis, a deadly infection caused by Balamuthia mandrillaris or Acanthamoeba, has a high mortality rate. This review examines current treatments and explores promising therapies like nitroxoline.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Parasitology

Background:

  • Granulomatous amebic encephalitis (GAE) is a rare, severe central nervous system infection.
  • Caused by free-living amebae, Balamuthia mandrillaris and Acanthamoeba species.
  • GAE has a high mortality rate, exceeding 90%.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide a comprehensive overview of evidence for current GAE antimicrobial treatments.
  • To present updated survival rates and medication usage statistics.
  • To discuss emerging treatments, including nitroxoline.

Main Methods:

  • Review of supporting evidence for CDC-recommended antimicrobials.
  • Analysis of updated statistics from the CDC Free-Living Ameba Database.
  • Discussion of promising therapeutic agents.

Main Results:

  • Current treatment strategies for GAE are reviewed.
  • Updated survival rates and medication usage data are presented.
  • Nitroxoline identified as a promising emerging treatment.

Conclusions:

  • Optimal treatment for GAE requires further definition.
  • Evidence supports current CDC-recommended antimicrobials.
  • Nitroxoline shows potential for future GAE therapy.
Keywords:
AcanthamoebaBalamuthiaamebadrug repurposingencephalitis

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