TY - JOUR
T1 - Characterization of Naegleria fowleri strains isolated from human cases of primary amoebic meningoencephalitis in Mexico
AU - Cervantes-Sandoval, Isaac
AU - de Jesús Serrano-Luna, José
AU - Tapia-Malagón, José Luis
AU - Pacheco-Yépez, Judith
AU - Silva-Olivares, Angélica
AU - Galindo-Gómez, Silvia
AU - Tsutsumi, Víctor
AU - Shibayama, Mineko
PY - 2007/9
Y1 - 2007/9
N2 - The protozoon Naegleria fowleri (N. fowleri) is a free-living amoeba that produces primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), which is an acute and frequently fatal infection of the central nervous system. We characterized the strains of N. fowleri isolated from the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of two cases presented in northwestern Mexico. The strains were isolated and cultured in 2% bactocasitone medium. Enflagellation assays, ultrastructural analysis, protein and protease electrophoresis patterns, and PCR were performed as confirmatory tests. Virulence tests were done using in Balb/c mice. Light microscopy analysis of brain tissue showed amoebae with abundant inflammatory reaction and extensive necrotic and hemorrhagic areas. The enflagellation assay was positive and the electron microscopy showed trophozoites with morphologic features typical of the genus. Protein and protease profiles of the isolated strains were identical to the reference strain. Finally, a 1500-bp PCR product was found in all three strains. Based on all the analyses performed, we concluded that the etiologic agent of both PAM cases was N. fowleri. The need for better epidemiological information and educational programs about basic clinical and pathological aspects of free-living amoebae provided by the health authorities are emphasized.
AB - The protozoon Naegleria fowleri (N. fowleri) is a free-living amoeba that produces primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), which is an acute and frequently fatal infection of the central nervous system. We characterized the strains of N. fowleri isolated from the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of two cases presented in northwestern Mexico. The strains were isolated and cultured in 2% bactocasitone medium. Enflagellation assays, ultrastructural analysis, protein and protease electrophoresis patterns, and PCR were performed as confirmatory tests. Virulence tests were done using in Balb/c mice. Light microscopy analysis of brain tissue showed amoebae with abundant inflammatory reaction and extensive necrotic and hemorrhagic areas. The enflagellation assay was positive and the electron microscopy showed trophozoites with morphologic features typical of the genus. Protein and protease profiles of the isolated strains were identical to the reference strain. Finally, a 1500-bp PCR product was found in all three strains. Based on all the analyses performed, we concluded that the etiologic agent of both PAM cases was N. fowleri. The need for better epidemiological information and educational programs about basic clinical and pathological aspects of free-living amoebae provided by the health authorities are emphasized.
KW - Case reports
KW - Diagnosis
KW - Free-living amoebae: Naegleria fowleri
KW - Primary amoebic meningoencephalitis
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=38049031112&partnerID=8YFLogxK
M3 - Artículo
SN - 0034-8376
VL - 59
SP - 342
EP - 347
JO - Revista de Investigacion Clinica
JF - Revista de Investigacion Clinica
IS - 5
ER -