Diagnosing Balamuthia mandrillaris Encephalitis With Metagenomic Deep Sequencing.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Identification of a particular cause of meningoencephalitis can be challenging owing to the myriad bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites that can produce overlapping clinical phenotypes, frequently delaying diagnosis and therapy. Metagenomic deep sequencing (MDS) approaches to infectious disease diagnostics are known for their ability to identify unusual or novel viruses and thus are well suited for investigating possible etiologies of meningoencephalitis.

Methods

We present the case of a 74-year-old woman with endophthalmitis followed by meningoencephalitis. MDS of her cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was performed to identify an infectious agent.

Results

Sequences aligning to Balamuthia mandrillaris ribosomal RNA genes were identified in the CSF by MDS. Polymer

SUBMITTER: Wilson MR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4624031 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature