Resumo

PERALTA RODRIGUEZ, Mónica Liliana  e  AYALA OVIEDO, Jaime de Jesús. Free-living amoebae in humans. Salud, Barranquilla [online]. 2009, vol.25, n.2, pp.280-292. ISSN 0120-5552.

Meningitis and Encephalitis are amongst the most dangerous disabling or death causing diseases. The etiological causes of these diseases include bacterium, virus and fungi. Protozoan which causes Meningitis and Encephalitis tend to be free-living amoebae. Patients identified with these amoebae infections had recently been exposed to contaminated water in swimming pools or steam baths. Healthy children and youth are vulnerable to Naegleria fowleri which causes Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis which evolution rapidly, causing death. Some species of Acanthamoeba, Balamuthia mandrillaris and recently Sappinia cause Granulomatous Amoebic Encephalitis in both acute and sub-acute forms, primarily affecting case with immunosuppression. Furthermore, some species produce Keratitis, which is confounded with diseases caused by Herpes Simplex or fungi. These amoebae are also infection causing agents in the lungs, ears, skin and nose. In most cases, diagnosis of these amoebae is posthumous. Combinations of antimicrobial treatment have had little effect, combating infections. This study seeks to enhance approaches towards diagnosing diseases caused by these agents and overcoming confounding them with other etiological agents without doubting the presence of free living amoebae.

Palavras-chave : Free living amoebas; Naegleriafowleri; Acanthamoeba; meningoencephalitis.

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