Pneumonia and Meningoencephalitis Due to Amoeba in a Lowland Gorilla

Anderson, M; Oosterhuis, J.E.; Kennedy, Stephen L.; Benirschke, Kurt

doi:10.2307/20460227

Cited by 24 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…Fatal BAE has been reported in at least six primates, mostly humanoids (Anderson et al 1986;Rideout et al 1997;Canfield et al 1997). This raised the question whether these species are particularly susceptible to Balamuthia infections, and people in close contact with them are more likely to become infected than others.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Since then, the pathogen has been found in the brains of around 150 cases of lethal granulomatous amoebic encephalitis in humans and other mammalian species (Anderson et al 1986;Martínez and Visvesvara 1997;Canfield et al 1997;Rideout et al 1997;Bakardjiev et al 2002). With the detection of B. mandrillaris amoebae in soil, both in close vicinity of and distant from a Balamuthia amoebic encephalitis (BAE) case, its early designation as free-living amoeba has been confirmed (Schuster et al 2003;Dunnebacke et al 2004).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Assessment of Balamuthia mandrillaris-specific serum antibody concentrations by flow cytometry

2008

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A flow cytometry (fluorescence-activated cell sorter)-based assay was adapted to detect and quantify antibodies to Balamuthia mandrillaris, a causative agent of fatal amoebic encephalitis (BAE), and to Acanthamoeba species. With sera from BAE patients for positive and a group of inconspicuous volunteers for negative reference, most of the 237 sera from random blood donors, patients with atypical encephalitis, atypical pneumonitis, visceral amoebiasis and toxoplasmosis and from subjects working with primates and other mammals were rated negative, 19% elevated and of these 2% high. In comparison, 23 of 25 West Africans living in rural areas revealed elevated, of these 15 high, and one very high B. mandrillaris-binding antibody titers, the latter well in the range of BAE patients. To date, none of the tested individuals have developed symptoms indicative of BAE. Criss-cross analysis with rabbit hyper immune sera against B. mandrillaris, Acanthamoeba comandoni (group 1), Acanthamoeba castellanii (group 2) and Acanthamoeba lenticulata (group 3) confirmed that cross-reactivity between B. mandrillaris and Acanthamoeba sp. is negligible while accentuating antigenic differences between the three morphological groups of Acanthamoeba.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of Balamuthia mandrillaris-specific serum antibody concentrations by flow cytometry

2008

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“…1,5,6,[8][9][10][11][12]15,16 In humans free-living amebas cause 3 well-defined diseases: 1) primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) caused by Naegleria fowleri, 2) granulomatous amebic encephalitis (GAE) caused by Acanthamoeba spp. and Balamuthia mandrillaris, and 3) chronic amebic keratitis (AK) caused by species of Acanthamoeba.…”

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confidence: 99%

Infections Caused by Pathogenic Free-Living Amebas (Balamuthia MandrillarisandAcanthamoebasp.) in Horses

et al. 2007

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Abstract. This article describes amebic infections in 4 horses: granulomatous amebic encephalitis caused by Balamuthia mandrillaris and Acanthamoeba culbertsoni and systemic infections caused by Acanthamoeba sp. The former infection occurred in 1 of 4 horses spontaneously without any underlying conditions; the latter amebic infection was perhaps ''opportunistic'' considering the visceral involvement by this protozoan in association with Aspergillus sp. and/or Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas sp. The clinicopathologic findings and demonstration of the amebic organisms using immunohistochemical techniques, culture, polymerase chain reactions, and electron microscopy are presented.

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“…6,7 Humans and Old World nonhuman primates are the species most commonly affected, and the disease has been documented in orangutans, gibbons, colobus monkeys, mandrills, and gorillas. [8][9][10][11][12][13] It is particularly important to note that amoebic meningoencephalitis is not limited to primates, having been diagnosed in dogs, horses, and sheep, [14][15][16][17] and is quite possibly underreported in domestic species.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Amoebic meningoencephalitis and disseminated infection caused by Balamuthia mandrillaris in a Western lowland gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla)

Gjeltema¹,

Troan²,

Muehlenbachs³

et al. 2016

javma

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CASE DESCRIPTION A 22-year-old male gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) housed in a zoo was evaluated for signs of lethargy, head-holding, and cervical stiffness followed by development of neurologic abnormalities including signs of depression, lip droop, and tremors. CLINICAL FINDINGS Physical examination under general anesthesia revealed a tooth root abscess and suboptimal body condition. A CBC and serum biochemical analysis revealed mild anemia, neutrophilia and eosinopenia consistent with a stress leukogram, and signs consistent with dehydration. Subsequent CSF analysis revealed lymphocytic pleocytosis and markedly increased total protein concentration. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME Despite treatment with antimicrobials, steroids, and additional supportive care measures, the gorilla's condition progressed to an obtunded mentation with grand mal seizures over the course of 10 days. Therefore, the animal was euthanized and necropsy was performed. Multifocal areas of malacia and hemorrhage were scattered throughout the brain; on histologic examination, these areas consisted of necrosis and hemorrhage associated with mixed inflammation, vascular necrosis, and intralesional amoebic trophozoites. Tan foci were also present in the kidneys and pancreas. Immunohistochemical testing positively labeled free-living amoebae within the brain, kidneys, eyes, pancreas, heart, and pulmonary capillaries. Subsequent PCR assay of CSF and frozen kidney samples identified the organism as Balamuthia mandrillaris, confirming a diagnosis of amoebic meningoencephalitis. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Infection with B mandrillaris has been reported to account for 2.8% of captive gorilla deaths in North America over the past 19 years. Clinicians working with gorillas should have a high index of suspicion for this diagnosis when evaluating and treating animals with signs of centrally localized neurologic disease.

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Pneumonia and Meningoencephalitis Due to Amoeba in a Lowland Gorilla

Cited by 24 publications

References 5 publications

Assessment of Balamuthia mandrillaris-specific serum antibody concentrations by flow cytometry

Assessment of Balamuthia mandrillaris-specific serum antibody concentrations by flow cytometry

Infections Caused by Pathogenic Free-Living Amebas (Balamuthia MandrillarisandAcanthamoebasp.) in Horses

Amoebic meningoencephalitis and disseminated infection caused by Balamuthia mandrillaris in a Western lowland gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla)

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