Balamuthia mandrillaris

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Classification

Eukaryota; Amoebozoa; Discosea; longamoebia; Balamuthiidae

Species

NCBI: [1]

Balamuthia mandrillaris

Description and Significance

Balamuthia mandrillaris, a free-living amoeba, is the causative agent of the rare yet fatal neurological condition known as granulomatous amoebic encephalitis (GAE). Discovered in 1986 within the brain of a deceased mandrill at the San Diego Wild Animal Park. The pathogen was successfully isolated and studied for the first time in 1993 by Govinda Visvesvara, paying tribute to his mentor William Balamuth for his amoebae research.

B. mandrillaris primarily dwells in soil and poses a great threat to human health. This amoeba can invade the human body through open wounds or inhalation, and it has been isolated from soil samples. Believed to be found across temperate regions globally, evidence supporting this includes the detection of antibodies to the protist in the bloodstream of healthy individuals.

Genome Structure

Describe the size and content of the genome. How many chromosomes? Circular or linear? Other interesting features? What is known about its sequence?

Cell Structure, Metabolism and Life Cycle

Interesting features of cell structure; how it gains energy; what important molecules it produces.

Ecology and Pathogenesis

Habitat; symbiosis; biogeochemical significance; contributions to environment.

If relevant, how does this organism cause disease? Human, animal, plant hosts? Virulence factors, as well as patient symptoms.

References

[Sample reference] Takai, K., Sugai, A., Itoh, T., and Horikoshi, K. "Palaeococcus ferrophilus gen. nov., sp. nov., a barophilic, hyperthermophilic archaeon from a deep-sea hydrothermal vent chimney". International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology. 2000. Volume 50. p. 489-500.

Author

Page authored by Bella Readling, student of Prof. Bradley Tolar at UNC Wilmington.