Granulomatous amoebic encephalitis (GAE)[1] is a rare, usually fatal, subacute-to-chronic central nervous system disease caused by certain species of free-living amoebae[2] of the genera Acanthamoeba, Balamuthiaand Sappinia pedata.[3][4] The term is most commonly used with Acanthamoeba. In more modern references, the term "balamuthia amoebic encephalitis" (BAE) is commonly used when Balamuthia mandrillaris is the cause.[5][6][7][8]
| Granulomatous amoebic encephalitis | |
|---|---|
 | |
| T2-weighted MRI showing liquefied, necrotic brain tissue as a result of GAE caused by an infection of Acanthamoeba, genotype T18 | |
| Specialty | Infectious disease |
Acanthamoeba[edit]
Antifungal drugs including ketoconazole, miconazole, 5-flucytosine and pentamidine have been shown to be effective against Acanthamoeba in vitro.[11]
Balamuthia[edit]
Like with Acanthamoeba, infection of the brain with this organism carries a high fatality rate. However some survivors have been reported:[citation needed]
Two patients survived after being successfully treated with a therapy consisting of flucytosine, pentamidine, fluconazole, sulfadiazine, and azithromycin. Thioridazine or trifluoperazine was also given. Successful treatment in these cases was credited to "awareness of Balamuthia as the causative agent of encephalitis and early initiation of antimicrobial therapy."[12]
In one case, cloxacillin, ceftriaxone, and amphotericin B were tried, but this treatment protocol did not prove effective.[13]
- Naegleriasis, an almost invariably fatal infection of the brain by the percolozoan Naegleria fowleri
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Granulomatous_amoebic_encephalitis
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