Amebic Meningoencephalitis and Keratitis (Naegleria fowleri, Acanthamoeba species, and Balamuthia mandrillaris)
-
Published:2021
2021. "Amebic Meningoencephalitis and Keratitis (Naegleria fowleri, Acanthamoeba species, and Balamuthia mandrillaris)", Red Book: 2021–2024 Report of the Committee on Infectious Diseases, Committee on Infectious Diseases, American Academy of Pediatrics, David W. Kimberlin, MD, FAAP, Elizabeth D. Barnett, MD, FAAP, Ruth Lynfield, MD, FAAP, Mark H. Sawyer, MD, FAAP
Download citation file:
Naegleria fowleri can cause a rapidly progressive, almost always fatal, primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM). Early symptoms include fever, headache, vomiting, and sometimes disturbances of smell and taste. The illness progresses rapidly to signs of meningoencephalitis, including nuchal rigidity, lethargy, confusion, personality changes, and altered level of consciousness. Seizures are common, and death generally occurs within a week of onset of symptoms. No distinct clinical features differentiate this disease from fulminant bacterial meningitis.
Granulomatous amebic encephalitis (GAE) caused by Acanthamoeba species and Balamuthia mandrillaris has a more insidious onset than PAM and develops as a subacute or chronic disease. In general,...