Balamuthia species

MICROBIOLOGY

  • Free-living amoeba found worldwide in soil, dust, and water
  • B. mandrillaris is the only known species
    • Discovered in 1986 at the San Diego Zoo in a pregnant mandrill (old-world monkey) with fatal meningoencephalitis[10]
  • Two-stage life cycle
    1. Trophozoite, infective to humans and other mammals; pleomorphic, uni- or bi-nucleated, 12-60 μm [Fig]
    2. Cyst, resistant to anti-microbials; uninucleated spherules measuring 12-30 μm

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Last updated: March 8, 2020