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Balamuthia amoebic encephalitis directly causing intracranial infection: A case report
Yuhan Liang1, Yanhong Liu1, Zelong Chen1
1Department of Radiology, The First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing China.
Radiology Case Reports
|April 3, 2025
Summary
Balamuthia amoebic encephalitis (BAE) is a rare, fatal CNS infection. Early diagnosis is difficult as symptoms like encephalitis appear before skin lesions, highlighting the need for prompt Balamuthia mandrillaris identification.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
- Pathology
Background:
- Balamuthia amoebic encephalitis (BAE) is a rare, fatal central nervous system infection caused by Balamuthia mandrillaris, a free-living amoeba.
- Direct brain invasion by Balamuthia makes early diagnosis challenging, as distinct early warning signs and preceding systemic or skin symptoms are often absent.
- The amoeba can enter the body through various routes, including respiratory, skin, or gastrointestinal tracts, leading to aggressive encephalitis.
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