Use of the Novel Therapeutic Agent Miltefosine for the Treatment of Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis: Report of 1 Fatal and 1 Surviving Case

Clin Infect Dis. 2016 Mar 15;62(6):774-6. doi: 10.1093/cid/civ1021. Epub 2015 Dec 17.

Abstract

Primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) is a fulminant central nervous system infection caused by the thermophilic free-living ameba Naegleria fowleri. Few survivals have been documented and adequate treatment is lacking. We report 2 PAM cases, 1 fatal and 1 surviving, treated with the novel antiparasitic agent miltefosine.

Keywords: Naegleria fowleri; miltefosine; primary amebic meningoencephalitis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antiprotozoal Agents / adverse effects*
  • Antiprotozoal Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Central Nervous System Protozoal Infections / diagnostic imaging
  • Central Nervous System Protozoal Infections / drug therapy*
  • Central Nervous System Protozoal Infections / mortality
  • Central Nervous System Protozoal Infections / parasitology*
  • Child
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Naegleria fowleri* / drug effects
  • Naegleria fowleri* / isolation & purification
  • Phosphorylcholine / adverse effects
  • Phosphorylcholine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Phosphorylcholine / therapeutic use
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antiprotozoal Agents
  • Phosphorylcholine
  • miltefosine