Opportunistic free-living amoebal pathogens

Abstract

ABSTRACTPathogenic free-living amoebae affecting the central nervous system are known to cause granulomatous amoebic encephalitis (GAE) or primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM). Although hosts with impaired immunity are generally at a higher risk of severe disease, amoebae such as Naegleria fowleri and Balamuthia mandrillaris can instigate disease in otherwise immunocompetent individuals, whereas Acanthamoeba species mostly infect immunocompromised people. Acanthamoeba also cause a sight-threatening eye infection, mostly in contact lens wearers. Although infections due to pathogenic amoebae are considered rare, recently, these deadly amoebae were detected in water supplies in the USA. This is of particular concern, especially with global warming further exacerbating the problem. Herein, we describe the epidemiology, presentation, diagnosis, and management of free-living amoeba infections.KEYWORDS: Free-living amoebaeacanthamoebaBalamuthiaNaegleriakeratitisCNS infectionencephalitismeningoencephalitis AcknowledgementThe authors acknowledge Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah for support.Disclosure statementNo potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).Authors contributionsNAK and RS conceived the idea. MRM reviewed the literature under the guidance of SM and RS. MRM prepared the first draft of the manuscript. NAK and RS corrected the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.Additional informationFundingThe author(s) reported that there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.

Topics & Concepts