Free living Parasites

Acanthamoeba spp.

Parasite causing granulomatous amoebic encephalitis acanthamoeba keratitis cutaneous acanthamoebiasis

Granulomatous Amoebic Encephalitis (GAE)

Common name of sickness caused by Acanthamoeba spp.

Acanthamoeba keratitis

Eye infection caused by Acanthamoeba spp.

Cutaneous acanthamoebiasis

Skin infection caused by Acanthamoeba spp.

Inhalation (nasal), Broken skin, Contaminated contact lenses

Mode of transmission of Acanthamoeba spp.

Cyst & trophozoite

Infective stage of Acanthamoeba spp.

Cyst → trophozoite → cyst

Life cycle of Acanthamoeba spp.

Headache, Seizures, Neurological deficits

CNS symptom of Acanthamoeba infection

Keratitis, Pain, Blurred vision

Eye symptom of Acanthamoeba infection

Nodular lesions

Skin symptom of Acanthamoeba infection

Microscopy (biopsy corneal scraping), culture, PCR

Clinical Diagnosis for Acantamoeba

, Miltefosine, Pentamidine, Azoles (e.g. ketoconazole), Topical antiseptics

Treatment for Acanthamoeba keratitis

Balamuthia mandrillaris

Parasite causing granulomatous amoebic encephalitis

Granulomatous Amoebic Encephalitis (GAE)

Common name of sickness caused by Balamuthia mandrillaris

Inhalation (dust) , Skin wounds

Mode of transmission of Balamuthia mandrillaris

Cyst & trophozoite

Infective stage of Balamuthia mandrillaris

Cyst → trophozoite → cyst

Life cycle of Balamuthia mandrillaris

Progressive encephalitis, Focal deficits, Seizures

CNS symptom of Balamuthia mandrillaris

Plaques , Ulcers, Brain biopsy

Laboratory diagnosis of Balamuthia mandrillaris

PCR, Immunofluorescence

Laboratory diagnosis of Balamuthia mandrillaris

Miltefosine , Pentamidine, Flucytosine, Azoles , Macrolides

Treatment for Balamuthia mandrillaris

Naegleria fowleri

Parasite causing primary amoebic meningoencephalitis

Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM)

Common name of sickness caused by Naegleria fowleri

Entry via nose (swimming in warm freshwater)

Mode of transmission of Naegleria fowleri

Trophozoite

Infective stage of Naegleria fowleri

Trophozoite ↔ flagellate form ↔ cyst

Life cycle of Naegleria fowleri

Severe headache, Fever, , Stiff neck, Vomiting, Coma

Clinical symptom of Naegleria fowleri

CSF examination (motile trophozoites), PCR, Culture

Laboratory diagnosis of Naegleria fowleri

Amphotericin B (IV & intrathecal), Miltefosine, Rifampin

Treatment for Naegleria fowleri