Fatal Balamuthia mandrillaris infection in a gorilla - first case of balamuthiasis in Germany

J Med Primatol. 2011 Dec;40(6):437-40. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0684.2011.00479.x. Epub 2011 Apr 18.

Abstract

Background: A 12-year-old female western lowland gorilla died in a zoological garden in Germany after exhibiting general neurological signs.

Methods: Balamuthia mandrillaris was identified as causative agent by indirect immunofluorescent staining of brain sections and confirmed by PCR and respective sequencing.

Results: The animal suffered from a chronic progressive necrotizing amebic meningoencephalitis.

Conclusion: This is the first case of Balamuthia amebic encephalitis in Germany.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Amebiasis / diagnosis
  • Amebiasis / mortality
  • Amebiasis / parasitology
  • Amebiasis / veterinary*
  • Animals
  • Ape Diseases / mortality
  • Ape Diseases / parasitology*
  • Balamuthia mandrillaris / isolation & purification*
  • Brain / parasitology
  • Brain / pathology*
  • Central Nervous System Protozoal Infections / diagnosis
  • Central Nervous System Protozoal Infections / mortality
  • Central Nervous System Protozoal Infections / parasitology
  • Central Nervous System Protozoal Infections / veterinary*
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect / veterinary
  • Germany
  • Gorilla gorilla / parasitology*
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence / veterinary
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / analysis

Substances

  • RNA, Ribosomal, 16S