Parasites, Hosts and Diseases

"meningoencephalitis"

Case Report

Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis: A Case Report: Minhua Chen, Wei Ruan, Lingling Zhang, Bangchuan Hu, Xianghong Yang; Korean J Parasitol 2019;57(3):291-294.
Published online June 30, 2019; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3347/kjp.2019.57.3.291

Abstract
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Primary amebic encephalitis (PAM) is a devastating central nervous system infection caused by Naegleria fowleri, a free-living amoeba, which can survive in soil and warm fresh water. Here, a 43-year-old healthy male was exposed to warm freshwater 5 days before the symptom onset. He rapidly developed severe cerebral edema before the diagnosis of PAM and was treated with intravenous conventional amphotericin B while died of terminal cerebral hernia finally. Comparing the patients with PAM who has similar clinical symptoms to those with other common types of meningoencephalitis, this infection is probably curable if treated early and aggressively. PAM should be considered in the differential diagnosis of purulent meningoencephalitis, especially in patients with recent freshwater-related activities during the hot season.

Citations

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Sunita Jhulki, Biplab Bhowmik, Aparajita Pal
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Naegleria fowleri Infections: Bridging Clinical Observations and Epidemiological Insights
Carmen Rîpă, Roxana Gabriela Cobzaru, Miruna Raluca Rîpă, Alexandra Maștaleru, Andra Oancea, Carmen Marinela Cumpăt, Maria Magdalena Leon
Journal of Clinical Medicine.2025; 14(2): 526. CrossRef
Naegleria fowleri: An Amoeba That Eats your Brain
Siddhi Suhas Shinde, Anuradha Prajapati, Sachin B. Narkhede, Shailesh Luhar
Research Journal of Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms and Technology.2025; : 37. CrossRef
Amoebicidal effect of chlorine dioxide gas against pathogenic Naegleria fowleri and Acanthamoeba polyphaga
Hae-Jin Sohn, A-Young Park, Jeong-Heon Lee, Kyu-Hwa Yun, Kyoung-Ju Song, Jong-Hyun Kim, Ho-Joon Shin
Parasitology Research.2024;[Epub] CrossRef
A scoping review on epidemiology and pathogenesis of death due to primary amoebic meningoencephalitis
Krishneswari Rajasekharan Nair Saraswathy
International Journal Of Community Medicine And Public Health.2024; 12(1): 598. CrossRef
Systematic Review of Brain-Eating Amoeba: A Decade Update
Mohd ‘Ammar Ihsan Ahmad Zamzuri, Farah Nabila Abd Majid, Massitah Mihat, Siti Salwa Ibrahim, Muhammad Ismail, Suriyati Abd Aziz, Zuraida Mohamed, Lokman Rejali, Hazlina Yahaya, Zulhizzam Abdullah, Mohd Rohaizat Hassan, Rahmat Dapari, Abd Majid Mohd Isa
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.2023; 20(4): 3021. CrossRef
Distribution and Current State of Molecular Genetic Characterization in Pathogenic Free-Living Amoebae
Alejandro Otero-Ruiz, Leobardo Daniel Gonzalez-Zuñiga, Libia Zulema Rodriguez-Anaya, Luis Fernando Lares-Jiménez, Jose Reyes Gonzalez-Galaviz, Fernando Lares-Villa
Pathogens.2022; 11(10): 1199. CrossRef
Photolysis of sodium chloride and sodium hypochlorite by ultraviolet light inactivates the trophozoites and cysts of Acanthamoeba castellanii in the water matrix
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Journal of Water and Health.2021; 19(1): 190. CrossRef
Drugs used for the treatment of cerebral and disseminated infections caused by free‐living amoebae
Alexandre Taravaud, Zineb Fechtali‐Moute, Philippe M. Loiseau, Sébastien Pomel
Clinical and Translational Science.2021; 14(3): 791. CrossRef
Death From Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis After Recreational Water Exposure During Recent Travel to India—Santa Clara County, California, 2020
Glenn R Harris, Ellora N Karmarkar, Rebecca Quenelle, Lyndsey Chaille, Jai Madhok, Vivian Tien, Jyoti Gupta, Seema Jain, Maria Liu, Shantanu Roy, Supriya Narasimhan, Akiko Kimura, Jennifer R Cope, Ibne Karim M Ali
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Hongze Zhang, Xunjia Cheng
Frontiers of Medicine.2021; 15(6): 842. CrossRef
Understanding the true burden of “Naegleria fowleri” (Vahlkampfiidae) in patients from Northern states of India: Source tracking and significance
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A Fatal Case of Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM) Complicated with Diabetes Insipidus (DI): A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Muhammad Zain Mushtaq, Saad Bin Zafar Mahmood, Adil Aziz
Case Reports in Infectious Diseases.2020; 2020: 1. CrossRef

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Original Article

Neuronal Apoptosis: Pathological Basis of Behavioral Dysfunctions Induced by Angiostrongylus cantonensis in Rodents Model: Shiqi Luo, Lisi OuYang, Jie Wei, Feng Wu, Zhongdao Wu, Wanlong Lei, Dongjuan Yuan; Korean J Parasitol 2017;55(3):267-278.
Published online June 30, 2017; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3347/kjp.2017.55.3.267

Angiostrongylus cantonensis invades the central nervous system (CNS) of humans to induce eosinophilic meningitis and meningoencephalitis and leads to persistent headache, cognitive dysfunction, and ataxic gait. Infected mice (nonpermissive host), admittedly, suffer more serious pathological injuries than rats (permissive host). However, the pathological basis of these manifestations is incompletely elucidated. In this study, the behavioral test, histological and immunohistochemical techniques, and analysis of apoptotic gene expression, especially caspase-3, were conducted. The movement and motor coordination were investigated at week 2 post infection (PI) and week 3 PI in mice and rats, respectively. The cognitive impairs could be found in mice at week 2 PI but not in rats. The plaque-like lesion, perivascular cuffing of inflammatory cells, and dilated vessels within the cerebral cortex and hippocampus were more serious in mice than in rats at week 3 PI. Transcriptomic analysis showed activated extrinsic apoptotic pathway through increased expression of TNFR1 and caspase-8 in mice CNS. Immunohistochemical and double-labeling for NeuN and caspase-3 indicated the dramatically increased expression of caspase-3 in neuron of the cerebral cortex and hippocampus in mice but not in rats. Furthermore, western-blotting results showed high expression of cleaved caspase-3 proteins in mice but relatively low expression in rats. Thus, extrinsic apoptotic pathway participated in neuronal apoptosis might be the pathological basis of distinct behavioral dysfunctions in rodents with A. cantonensis infection. It provides the evidences of a primary molecular mechanism for the behavioral dysfunction and paves the ways to clinical diagnosis and therapy for A. cantonensis infection.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Insights into the biology of the rat lungworm, Angiostrongylus cantonensis
Chasen D. Griffin, Vanessa O. Ezenwa, Robert H. Cowie
Parasites & Vectors.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
Defective glycolysis in the cerebrum and cerebellum correlates with the pathology and neurological declines in mice with Angiostrongylus cantonensis infection
Shih-Yi Peng, Ho Yin Pekkle Lam, Yu-Ting Huang
Parasitology International.2024; 98: 102821. CrossRef
Angiostrongylus cantonensis induces energy imbalance and dyskinesia in mice by reducing the expression of melanin-concentrating hormone
Hui Huang, Zhongyuan Zhang, Mengdan Xing, Zihan Jin, Yue Hu, Minyu Zhou, Hang Wei, Yiwen Liang, Zhiyue Lv
Parasites & Vectors.2024;[Epub] CrossRef
IL-17A Mediates Demyelination by Activating A1 Astrocytes via SOCS3 During Angiostrongylus cantonensis Infection
Zongpu Zhou, Tuo Lin, Zhen Liu, Qian Ding, Zhixuan Ma, Wanqi Li, Fukang Xie, Yue Lan, Ying Feng
Frontiers in Immunology.2022;[Epub] CrossRef
Mechanisms of the host immune response and helminth-induced pathology during Trichobilharzia regenti (Schistosomatidae) neuroinvasion in mice
Tomáš Macháček, Roman Leontovyč, Barbora Šmídová, Martin Majer, Oldřich Vondráček, Iveta Vojtěchová, Tomáš Petrásek, Petr Horák, Elise O’Connell
PLOS Pathogens.2022; 18(2): e1010302. CrossRef
Improvements of cognitive functions in mice heavily infected by Angiostrongylus cantonensis after treatment with albendazole, dexamethasone, or co-therapy
Kai-Yuan Jhan, Chien-Ju Cheng, Chih-Jen Chou, Shih-Ming Jung, Guan-Jhih Lai, Kuang-Yao Chen, Lian-Chen Wang
Journal of Microbiology, Immunology and Infection.2022; 55(5): 935. CrossRef
Necroptosis and Caspase-2-Mediated Apoptosis of Astrocytes and Neurons, but Not Microglia, of Rat Hippocampus and Parenchyma Caused by Angiostrongylus cantonensis Infection
Hongli Zhou, Zhe Chen, Yanin Limpanont, Yue Hu, Yubin Ma, Ping Huang, Paron Dekumyoy, Minyu Zhou, Yixin Cheng, Zhiyue Lv
Frontiers in Microbiology.2020;[Epub] CrossRef
Severe CNS angiostrongyliasis in a young marine: a case report and literature review
Liane McAuliffe, Shannon Fortin Ensign, Derek Larson, Mary Bavaro, Joseph Yetto, Michael Cathey, Mitsuru Mukaigawara, Masashi Narita, Kiyofumi Ohkusu, Timothy Quast, Charles Volk
The Lancet Infectious Diseases.2019; 19(4): e132. CrossRef
Regulatory effect of host miR-101b-3p on parasitism of nematode Angiostrongylus cantonensis via superoxide dismutase 3
Dongjuan Yuan, Shiqi Luo, Lian Xu, Xingda Zeng, Zhongdao Wu
Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Gene Regulatory Mechanisms.2019; 1862(5): 557. CrossRef
Trichostatin A, a Histone Deacetylase Inhibitor, Alleviates Eosinophilic Meningitis Induced by Angiostrongylus cantonensis Infection in Mice
Yanhua Zhang, Hui Xie, Wenyan Tang, Xingda Zeng, Yu Lin, Lian Xu, Lihua Xiao, Jun Xu, Zhongdao Wu, Dongjuan Yuan
Frontiers in Microbiology.2019;[Epub] CrossRef
MicroRNA-125b mimic inhibits ischemia reperfusion-induced neuroinflammation and aberrant p53 apoptotic signalling activation through targeting TP53INP1
Xiao-Qian Li, Qian Yu, Wen-Fei Tan, Zai-Li Zhang, Hong Ma
Brain, Behavior, and Immunity.2018; 74: 154. CrossRef
Apoptosis and necroptosis of mouse hippocampal and parenchymal astrocytes, microglia and neurons caused by Angiostrongylus cantonensis infection
Zhang Mengying, Xu Yiyue, Pan Tong, Hu Yue, Yanin Limpanont, Huang Ping, Kamolnetr Okanurak, Wu Yanqi, Paron Dekumyoy, Zhou Hongli, Dorn Watthanakulpanich, Wu Zhongdao, Wang Zhi, Lv Zhiyue
Parasites & Vectors.2017;[Epub] CrossRef

10,323 View
151 Download
13 Web of Science
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Case Reports

A Case of Ocular Angiostrongyliasis with Molecular Identification of the Species in Vietnam: Nguyen Van De, Le Van Duyet, Jong-Yil Chai; Korean J Parasitol 2015;53(6):713-717.
Published online December 31, 2015; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3347/kjp.2015.53.6.713

Abstract
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A 23-year-old female residing in a village of Cao Bang Province, North Vietnam, visited the Hospital of Hanoi Medical University in July 2013. She felt dim eyes and a bulge-sticking pain in her left eye for some days before visiting the hospital. In the hospital, a clinical examination, an eye endoscopy, and an operation were carried out. A nematode specimen was collected from the eye of this patient. The body of this worm was thin and long and measured 22.0×0.3 mm. It was morphologically suggested as an immature female worm of Angiostrongylus cantonensis. By a molecular method using 18S rRNA gene, this nematode was confirmed as A. cantonensis. This is the first molecular study for identification of A. cantonensis in Vietnam.

Citations

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Insights into the genetic diversity of Angiostrongylus spp. causing human angiostrongyliasis and implications for molecular identification and diagnosis
Abigail Hui En Chan, Chanisara Kaenkaew, Wallop Pakdee, Urusa Thaenkham
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Identification and genetic characterization of Angiostrongylus cantonensis isolated from the human eye
Abdulhakam Dumidae, Kanin Luangsawang, Aunchalee Thanwisai, Apichat Vitta
Parasitology Research.2023; 122(9): 2217. CrossRef
Two Ocular Angiostrongyliasis Cases in Thailand with Molecular Identification of Causative Parasite Species
Patcharaporn Boonroumkaew, Thuss Sanguansak, Siriraksa Visaetsilpanonta, Oranuch Sanpool, Lakkhana Sadaow, Pewpan M. Intapan, Wanchai Maleewong
The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.2020; 102(6): 1399. CrossRef
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Li Feng, Aiwu Zhang, Jiali Que, Hongyan Zhou, Haiyan Wang, Yuanlin Guan, Cunzhou Shen, Xunsha Sun, Rong Lai, Fuhua Peng, Huiyu Feng, Ling Chen
BMC Infectious Diseases.2020;[Epub] CrossRef
Angiostrongylus cantonensis Is an Important Cause of Eosinophilic Meningitis in Southern Vietnam
Angela McBride, Tran Thi Hong Chau, Nguyen Thi Thu Hong, Nguyen Thi Hoang Mai, Nguyen To Anh, Tran Tan Thanh, Tran Thi Hue Van, Le Thi Xuan, Tran Phu Manh Sieu, Le Hong Thai, Ly Van Chuong, Dinh Xuan Sinh, Nguyen Duy Phong, Nguyen Hoan Phu, Jeremy Day, Ho
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Development of Lateral Flow Immunoassay for Antigen Detection in Human Angiostrongylus cantonensis Infection
Mu-Xin Chen, Jia-Xu Chen, Shao-Hong Chen, Da-Na Huang, Lin Ai, Ren-Li Zhang
The Korean Journal of Parasitology.2016; 54(3): 375. CrossRef
Angiostrongylus cantonensis and A. malaysiensis Broadly Overlap in Thailand, Lao PDR, Cambodia and Myanmar: A Molecular Survey of Larvae in Land Snails
Rutchanee Rodpai, Pewpan M. Intapan, Tongjit Thanchomnang, Oranuch Sanpool, Lakkhana Sadaow, Sakhone Laymanivong, Win Papa Aung, Issarapong Phosuk, Porntip Laummaunwai, Wanchai Maleewong, Donald James Colgan
PLOS ONE.2016; 11(8): e0161128. CrossRef

10,471 View
91 Download
9 Web of Science
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A Fatal Case of Naegleria fowleri Meningoencephalitis in Taiwan: Mei-Yu Su, Ming-Shih Lee, Ling-Yuh Shyu, Wei-Chen Lin, Pei-Ching Hsiao, Chi-Ping Wang, Dar-Der Ji, Ke-Min Chen, Shih-Chan Lai; Korean J Parasitol 2013;51(2):203-206.
Published online April 25, 2013; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3347/kjp.2013.51.2.203

Abstract
PDF

After bathing at a hot spring resort, a 75-year-old man presented to the emergency department because of seizure-like attack with loss of conscious. This is the first case of primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) caused by Naegleria fowleri in Taiwan. PAM was diagnosed based on detection of actively motile trophozoites in cerebrospinal fluid using a wet-mount smear and the Liu's stain. The amoebae were further confirmed by PCR and gene sequencing. In spite of administering amphotericin B treatment, the patient died 25 days later.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Enlightening the promising role of nanoparticle-based treatments against Naegleria fowleri-induced primary amoebic meningoencephalitis: A brain-eating disease
Sunita Jhulki, Biplab Bhowmik, Aparajita Pal
Microbial Pathogenesis.2025; 199: 107234. CrossRef
Naegleria fowleri Infections: Bridging Clinical Observations and Epidemiological Insights
Carmen Rîpă, Roxana Gabriela Cobzaru, Miruna Raluca Rîpă, Alexandra Maștaleru, Andra Oancea, Carmen Marinela Cumpăt, Maria Magdalena Leon
Journal of Clinical Medicine.2025; 14(2): 526. CrossRef
Pathogenic free-living amoebic encephalitis from 48 cases in China: A systematic review
Xiang-Ting Chen, Qian Zhang, Si-Yuan Wen, Fei-Fei Chen, Chang-Qing Zhou
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Systematic Review of Brain-Eating Amoeba: A Decade Update
Mohd ‘Ammar Ihsan Ahmad Zamzuri, Farah Nabila Abd Majid, Massitah Mihat, Siti Salwa Ibrahim, Muhammad Ismail, Suriyati Abd Aziz, Zuraida Mohamed, Lokman Rejali, Hazlina Yahaya, Zulhizzam Abdullah, Mohd Rohaizat Hassan, Rahmat Dapari, Abd Majid Mohd Isa
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.2023; 20(4): 3021. CrossRef
Understanding the true burden of “Naegleria fowleri” (Vahlkampfiidae) in patients from Northern states of India: Source tracking and significance
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Mohammad Ridwane Mungroo, Naveed Ahmed Khan, Ruqaiyyah Siddiqui
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