Laboratory Diagnostic Methods: Balamuthia mandrillaris

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Laboratory Diagnostic Methods: Balamuthia mandrillaris

  • Cerebrospinal fluid: elevated protein, lymphocytosis, normal glucose, trophozoites are rarely seen in CSF.
  • PCR for detection of amoebic DNA in tissue.
  • Detection of trophozoites in tissue (eg, brain biopsy).
  • Indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) to detect antibodies attached to B. mandrillaris in body tissues.
  • Neuroimaging to look for the presence of space-occupying lesions. The image below demonstrates bilateral hemorrhagic & necrotic lesions in the frontal lobe.