title: Investigational drug available directly from CDC for the treatment of infections with free-living amebae.
abstract: Infections caused by free-living amebae (FLA) are severe and life-threatening. These infections include primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) caused by Naegleria fowleri and granulomatous amebic encephalitis caused by Balamuthia mandrillaris and Acanthamoeba species. Although several drugs have in vitro activity against FLA, mortality from these infections remains>90% despite treatment with combinations of drugs.
mesh_terms: D000048:Acanthamoeba / Q000187:drug effects; D000562:Amebiasis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000818:Animals; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D059611:Balamuthia mandrillaris / Q000187:drug effects; D002487:Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S.; D020808:Central Nervous System Protozoal Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D015507:Drugs, Investigational / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004660:Encephalitis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D016848:Naegleria fowleri / Q000187:drug effects; D010767:Phosphorylcholine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents; D015507:Drugs, Investigational; D010767:Phosphorylcholine; C039128:miltefosine
references: J Eukaryot Microbiol. 2006 Mar-Apr;53(2):121-6
references: 16579814