Granulomatous amoebic encephalitis: pathogenesis, diagnostic advances, therapeutic challenges, and emerging treatment strategies.
M, G. & P, K. (2026). Granulomatous amoebic encephalitis: pathogenesis, diagnostic advances, therapeutic challenges, and emerging treatment strategies.. Medical microbiology and immunology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00430-026-00885-z
M G, P K. Granulomatous amoebic encephalitis: pathogenesis, diagnostic advances, therapeutic challenges, and emerging treatment strategies.. Medical microbiology and immunology. 2026; doi: 10.1007/s00430-026-00885-z
M G, P K. Granulomatous amoebic encephalitis: pathogenesis, diagnostic advances, therapeutic challenges, and emerging treatment strategies.[J]. Medical microbiology and immunology. 2026. DOI: 10.1007/s00430-026-00885-z.
@article{m2026,
author = {Gautham M and Koteswari P},
title = {Granulomatous amoebic encephalitis: pathogenesis, diagnostic advances, therapeutic challenges, and emerging treatment strategies.},
journal = {Medical microbiology and immunology},
year = {2026},
doi = {10.1007/s00430-026-00885-z},
note = {PMID: 42560417},
}
TY - JOUR AU - Gautham M AU - Koteswari P TI - Granulomatous amoebic encephalitis: pathogenesis, diagnostic advances, therapeutic challenges, and emerging treatment strategies. T2 - Medical microbiology and immunology PY - 2026 DO - 10.1007/s00430-026-00885-z AN - PMID:42560417 ER -
Granulomatous amoebic encephalitis (GAE) is a rare but highly fatal central nervous system infection caused primarily by Acanthamoeba spp. and Balamuthia mandrillaris. Delayed diagnosis and the absence of standardized treatment protocols contribute to mortality exceeding 90%. This review summarizes current knowledge regarding GAE pathogenesis, diagnosis, therapeutic challenges, and emerging treatment strategies. The pathogenesis involves amoebic adhesion, secretion of proteases and phospholipases, host inflammatory responses, and blood-brain barrier disruption. Recent advances in molecular diagnostics improve early pathogen detection, while drug repurposing, nanotechnology-based delivery systems, and cyst-targeted approaches represent promising therapeutic strategies. Nevertheless, treatment remains challenging because of poor blood-brain barrier penetration, cyst-associated resistance, and limited clinical evidence. Continued integration of molecular diagnostics, mechanistic studies, translational research, and multicentre clinical investigations is essential for improving outcomes in this devastating disease.