Both trophozoites and cysts were detected in cell cultures and were identified as belonging to the genus Acanthamoeba. These observations of experimental animals dying from encephalitis led Culbertson et al. (99) to predict a role for free-living amebae as agents of human disease.

Free-living amebae belonging to the genera Acanthamoeba, Balamuthia, Naegleria and Sappinia are rare causes of disease in humans and animals. Acanthamoeba spp. and Balamuthia mandrillaris are free-living amebae capable of causing granulomatous amebic encephalitis (GAE).

Acanthamoeba culbertsoni is an opportunistic pathogen that causes granulomatous amoebic encephalitis (GAE), a chronic and often fatal disease of the central nervous system (CNS). A hallmark of GAE is the formation of granulomas around the amoebae.

Acanthamoeba is a free-living protist pathogen, capable of causing a blinding keratitis and fatal granulomatous encephalitis. The factors that contribute to Acanthamoeba infections include parasite biology, genetic diversity, environmental spread ...

Acanthamoeba culbertsoni was identified retrospectively in a case of amoebic meningoencephalitis, previously reported by Jager and Stamm (Lancet, 2, 1343, 1972). This is the second report of this species causing secondary infection in man.

An in-depth understanding of the biological characteristics and pathogenicity of Acanthamoeba can provide help for clinical diagnosis, effective treatment, and control of Acanthamoeba infection to provide a theoretical basis for the development of …

Sep 1, 2010 · Acanthamoeba are free-living amoebae found in most environments that can cause brain and corneal infections. To infect humans, these pathogens must interact with host cells and the extracellular matrix (ECM).