Balamuthia mandrillaris encephalitis in an uncontrolled diabetic patient

Abstract

Balamuthia mandrillaris is a free-living amoeba that may result in a disseminated infection of the central nervous system called granulomatous amoebic encephalitis. We present a case of balamuthiasis in a Hispanic male with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus (hemoglobin A1C of 12.2 %) who did not have access to healthcare. He initially presented with the non-specific symptoms of blurry vision, headache and imbalance which rapidly progressed to altered mental status over two months. Imaging revealed multiple peripherally enhancing lesions throughout the cerebellum and cortical regions which corresponded to the patient's deficits. Brain biopsy showed amoebic forms consistent with Balamuthia mandrillaris and later confirmed with cerebrospinal fluid PCR. Our patient was treated with a combination of various antimicrobials, including azithromycin, fluconazole, flucytosine, sulfadiazine, and miltefosine. Unfortunately, his prognosis continued to worsen and he ultimately died after being placed on comfort care.