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Granulomatous amoebic encephalitis medical therapy

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Overview

Overview

GAE can, in general, must be treated by killing the pathogenic amoebas which cause it. Even with treatment, the condition is often fatal, and there are very few recorded survivors, almost all of whom suffered permanent neurocognitive deficits. Several drugs have been shown to be effective against GAE-causing organisms in vitro.[1]

Medical Therapy

Medical Therapy

Although there have been more than 200 cases of Balamuthia infection worldwide, few patients are known to have survived as a result of successful drug treatment [2][3]. Early diagnosis and treatment might increase the chances for survival[4].

Drugs used in treating Granulomatous Amebic Encephalitis (GAE) caused by Balamuthia have included a combination of flucytosine, pentamidine, fluconazole, sulfadiazine and either azithromycin or clarithromycin [5][3][6][7]. Recently, miltefosine in combination with some of these other drugs has shown some promise[3]. Much more information is needed in treating patients with GAE due to Balamuthia.

References

References

  1. http://path.upmc.edu/cases/case156/dx.html
  2. http://path.upmc.edu/cases/case156/dx.html
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 Perez MT, Bush LM (2007). “Balamuthia mandrillaris amebic encephalitis”. Current Infectious Disease Reports. 9 (4): 323–8. PMID 17618553. Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  4. Martínez DY, Seas C, Bravo F; et al. (2010). “Successful treatment of Balamuthia mandrillaris amoebic infection with extensive neurological and cutaneous involvement”. Clinical Infectious Diseases : an Official Publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America. 51 (2): e7–11. doi:10.1086/653609. PMID 20550438. Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  5. http://path.upmc.edu/cases/case156/dx.html
  6. Siddiqui R, Khan NA (2008). “Balamuthia amoebic encephalitis: an emerging disease with fatal consequences”. Microbial Pathogenesis. 44 (2): 89–97. doi:10.1016/j.micpath.2007.06.008. PMID 17913450. Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  7. Cary LC, Maul E, Potter C; et al. (2010). “Balamuthia mandrillaris meningoencephalitis: survival of a pediatric patient”. Pediatrics. 125 (3): e699–703. doi:10.1542/peds.2009-1797. PMID 20123772. Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)


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