Rapidly Progressive Granulomatous Amoebic Encephalitis in a Diabetic Individual

Authors

Anish Paudel, Internal Medicine Residency Department, Reading Hospital-Tower Health, West Reading, PAFollow
Nitin Patel, Department of Infectious Disease, Reading Hospital - Tower Health, West Reading, PA.Follow
Johnathan Quang
Courtney Cassella, Dept. of Emergency Medicine, Reading Hospital, Tower Health, West Reading, PAFollow
Adam Sigal, Dept. of Emergency Medicine, Reading Hospital-Tower Health, Reading, PA,Follow
Prem Parajuli, Reading Hospital-Tower Health
Olubunmi Oladunjoye
ibiyemi oke, Internal Medicine Residency Department, Reading Hospital-Tower Health, West Reading, PAFollow
Suravi Khanal
Kristina Bhattarai

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

11-2021

Abstract

We present a case of rapidly progressive granulomatous amoebic encephalitis caused by Balamuthia mandrillaris in an individual with diabetes mellitus. Our patient presented with occipital headache, blurry vision, confusion, and gait imbalance of one week's duration. Brain imaging revealed numerous peripheral ring-enhancing lesions concerning malignancy. Brain biopsy was consistent with Balamuthia mandrillaris infection. He passed away 45 days after presentation despite being treated with a five-drug regimen. This case highlights the importance of considering amoebic brain infections, especially with ring-enhancing lesions on imaging. There are opportunities to design modalities for rapid diagnosis and better treatment.

Publication Title

Cureus Journal of Medical Science

Volume

13

Issue

11

Recommended Citation

Paudel, A., Patel, N., Quang, J., Cassella, C., Sigal, A., Parajuli, P., Oladunjoye, O., oke, i., Khanal, S., & Bhattarai, K. (2021). Rapidly Progressive Granulomatous Amoebic Encephalitis in a Diabetic Individual. Cureus Journal of Medical Science, 13 (11) https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.19336