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Balamuthia mandrillaris : Identification of Clinical and Environmental Isolates Using Genus‐Specific PCR
Author(s) -
BOOTON GREGORY C.,
SCHUSTER FREDERICK L.,
CARMICHAEL JENNIFER R.,
FUERST PAUL A.,
BYERS THOMAS J.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
journal of eukaryotic microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.067
H-Index - 77
eISSN - 1550-7408
pISSN - 1066-5234
DOI - 10.1111/j.1550-7408.2003.tb00611.x
Subject(s) - biology , library science , zoology , identification (biology) , ecology , computer science
'The protist genus Ralamutlzia was first describcd as the causative agent of a fatal case of encephalitis in a mandrill 181. Originally classified as a lcptomyxid ameba, it was eventually given genus status as Ralarnurlziu rnu.ndril1uri.s 18,9]. Since the original isolation, numerous isolates have been found in granulomatous amebic encephalitis (CAE) casts in a numbcr of vertebrates, including humans, almost all of which have been falal 13-61, Diagnosis of a Balurnuthiu infection has been very difficult and thc sourcc of the infcction is often not identified prior to autopsy examination. Furthermore, until recently, Balamuthin has been difficult to grow in the laboratory in cell-free media [7 1. Morphologically, Balamuthiu is somewhat similar to Acunthamnc+tr, however the trophozoitc is larger than that of Acunthamneha. Also, Balarnuihiu shims the biphasic life style of Acantlzamoeha consisting of a mobile trophozoitc form, and in1 cyst form. Despite these similarities, the size diffcrcnce and unique shape of the Irophozoites of BaLamuthiu make it distinguisliable from Acanihumneha by trained observers using microscopy. Because 01' the similarities between thesc two genera, Halumuthia has been hypothesized to share common ecological habitats with Acanthumoeha, including being found naturally in soil. Despite this, until reccntly isolation of Balanzuthia from the environment has been vcry difficult, if not impossible 171. The goals of thesc Bul~rrnufhia studies arc to dctermine the phylogenctic placement of Balarnuthin relative to other frce-living ameba, to determine the levels of genetic variation within isolates of Halumuthio, to develop genus-specific identification methods for Ralamu/liia, and finally, to apply these genus-specific identification methods to archived and live samples. This will lead t o the eventual goal of more rapid and robust identification methods for putative H . rnandrillaris opportunistic infections, which continuc to increase in frequcncy and worldwide distribution in an expanding number of vertebrates.