Balamuthia Infection

	Balamuthia Infection ''Balamuthia'' infection is a cutaneous condition resulting from '' Balamuthia'' that may result in various skin lesions. ''Balamuthia mandrillarisis'' a free-living amoeba (a single-celled living organism) found in the environment. It is one of the causes of granulomatous amoebic encephalitis (GAE), a serious infection of the brain and spinal cord. ''Balamuthia'' is thought to enter the body when soil containing it comes in contact with skin wounds and cuts, or when dust containing it is breathed in or gets in the mouth. The ''Balamuthia'' amoebae can then travel to the brain through the bloodstream and cause GAE. GAE is a very rare disease that is usually fatal. Scientists at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) first discovered ''Balamuthia mandrillaris'' in 1986. The amoeba was found in the brain of a dead mandrill The mandrill (''Mandrillus sphinx'') is a large Old World monkey native to west central Africa. It is one of the most colorful mammals in ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu]
	Balamuthia ''Balamuthia mandrillaris'' is a free-living amoeba that causes the rare but deadly neurological condition granulomatous amoebic encephalitis (GAE). ''B. mandrillaris'' is a soil-dwelling amoeba and was first discovered in 1986 in the brain of a mandrill that died in the San Diego Wild Animal Park. ''B. mandrillaris'' can infect the body through open wounds or by inhalation. ''Balamuthia'' has been isolated in nature. It is believed to be distributed throughout the temperate regions of the world. This is supported somewhat by the detection of antibodies to the protist in healthy individuals. The generic name ''Balamuthia'' was given by Govinda Visvesvara, after his mentor, parasitologist William Balamuth, for his contributions to the study of amoebae. Visvesvara isolated and studied the pathogen for the first time in 1993. Morphology ''B. mandrillaris'' is a free-living, heterotrophic amoeba, consisting of a standard complement of organelles surrounded by a three-layere ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu]
	Skin Lesion A skin condition, also known as cutaneous condition, is any medical condition that affects the integumentary system—the organ system that encloses the body and includes skin, nails, and related muscle and glands. The major function of this system is as a barrier against the external environment. Conditions of the human integumentary system constitute a broad spectrum of diseases, also known as dermatoses, as well as many nonpathologic states (like, in certain circumstances, melanonychia and racquet nails). While only a small number of skin diseases account for most visits to the physician, thousands of skin conditions have been described. Classification of these conditions often presents many nosological challenges, since underlying causes and pathogenetics are often not known. Therefore, most current textbooks present a classification based on location (for example, conditions of the mucous membrane), morphology ( chronic blistering conditions), cause (skin conditions ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu]
picture info	Granulomatous Amoebic Encephalitis Granulomatous amoebic encephalitis (GAE) is a rare, usually fatal, subacute-to-chronic central nervous system disease caused by certain species of free-living amoebae of the genera ''Acanthamoeba'', '' Balamuthia'' and '' Sappinia''. The term is most commonly used with ''Acanthamoeba''. In more modern references, the term "balamuthia amoebic encephalitis" (BAE) is commonly used when ''Balamuthia mandrillaris'' is the cause. Symptoms and signs GAE starts slowly, with symptoms like headache, nausea, dizziness, irritability and a low-grade fever. The CNS symptoms depend on the part of the brain that is infected. Changes in behavior are an important sign. Other CNS signs may include seizures, focal neurologic signs, diplopia (double vision), cranial nerve palsies, ataxia, confusion, and personality changes. Some of the symptoms may mimic glioma (especially brainstem glioma), or other brain diseases, which may hamper timely diagnosis. The symptoms are caused by inflammatory necrosis ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu]
picture info	Centers For Disease Control And Prevention The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is the national public health agency of the United States. It is a United States federal agency, under the Department of Health and Human Services, and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. The agency's main goal is the protection of public health and safety through the control and prevention of disease, injury, and disability in the US and worldwide. The CDC focuses national attention on developing and applying disease control and prevention. It especially focuses its attention on infectious disease, food borne pathogens, environmental health, occupational safety and health, health promotion, injury prevention and educational activities designed to improve the health of United States citizens. The CDC also conducts research and provides information on non-infectious diseases, such as obesity and diabetes, and is a founding member of the International Association of National Public Health Institutes. [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu]
picture info	Mandrill The mandrill (''Mandrillus sphinx'') is a large Old World monkey native to west central Africa. It is one of the most colorful mammals in the world, with red and blue skin on its face and posterior. The species is sexually dimorphic, as males have a larger body, longer canine teeth and brighter coloring. Its closest living relative is the drill with which it shares the genus '' Mandrillus''. Both species were traditionally thought to be baboons, but further evidence has shown that they are more closely related to white-eyelid mangabeys. Mandrills mainly live in tropical rainforests but will also travel across savannas. They are active during the day and spend most of their time on the ground. Their preferred foods are fruit and seeds, but mandrills will consume leaves, piths, mushrooms, and animals from insects to juvenile antelope. Mandrills live in large, stable groups known as "hordes" which can number in the hundreds. Females form the core of these groups, while adul ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu]
	Acanthamoeba Infection ''Acanthamoeba'' infection is a cutaneous condition resulting from '' Acanthamoeba'' that may result in various skin lesions. '' Acanthamoeba'' strains can also infect human eyes causing ''Acanthamoeba'' keratitis. See also * ''Balamuthia'' infection References Parasitic infestations, stings, and bites of the skin {{Cutaneous-infection-stub ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu]