Free Living Amoebas

Abstract

Free living amoebae (FLA) are a group of protozoa that exist freely in nature and can cause debilitating infections among humans. Among various genera of FLA, Acanthamoeba spp., Balamuthia mandrillaris, Naegleria fowleri and Sappinia diploidea are associated with human diseases. Acanthamoeba spp. causes Acanthamoeba keratitis and granulomatous amoebic encephalitis among immunocompetent and immunocompromised individuals. N. fowleri causes meningoencephalitis mostly among immunocompetent children and young adults. B. mandrillaris causes infections of the central nervous system, skin mostly among immunocompromised patients; however, infections among immunocompetent individuals have also been reported. S. diploidea has been reported to cause amoebic encephalitis among immunocompetent individual; however, details about this pathogen is yet to be explored. All these infections caused by FLA are rarely reported, but their mortality rate is high among humans. Therefore, there is utmost need to focus on further elucidating the pathogenesis and treatment of diseases caused by FLA. Genomics, proteomics and bioinformatics based research studies will expedite the exploration of yet to be identified facts and figures about these FLA’s.