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Successful Treatment of Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis Using a Novel Therapeutic Regimen Including Miltefosine and Voriconazole

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Abstract

The genus Naegleria consists of free-living amoebae widely distributed worldwide in soil and freshwater habitats. Primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) is an uncommon and most likely fatal disease. The incubation period is approximately 7 days. The first symptoms are headache, nasal congestion, fever, vomiting, stiff neck within 3–4 days after the first symptoms, confusion, abnormal behavior, seizures, loss of balance and body control, coma, and death. We describe the case of a child who presented with PAM due to Naegleria sp., fully recovered from the infection without apparent sequels after treatment with a regimen that included miltefosine and voriconazole.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to Jorge Lopez-Sandoval, MD, and the Critical Care Unit of the Hospital de Emergencias Pediátricas for facilitating the rapid release of voriconazole and the staff of Tecnofarma Uruguay for the donation of miltefosine for the treatment of this patient. I AMCV would like to thank Paula Belén, my daughter, and S.I R.A. for their patience.

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Correspondence to Nilton Yhuri Carreazo.

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Martínez, D.Y., Bravo-Cossio, F., Valdivia-Tapia, M.d. et al. Successful Treatment of Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis Using a Novel Therapeutic Regimen Including Miltefosine and Voriconazole. Acta Parasit. 67, 1421–1424 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11686-022-00591-9

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