Certain people are at increased risk for infection with the ameba Balamuthia mandrillaris.
Risk factors for infection with Balmuthia mandrillaris:
(1) extreme of age (< 15 years of age, adult > 60 years of age)
(2) HIV or AIDS
(3) organ transplant recipient
(4) long-term corticosteroid therapy
(5) diabetes
(6) cancer
(7) other conditions with immunosuppression
(8) drug and/or alcohol abuse
Occasionally even immunocompetent patients may develop the infection.
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Specialty: Infectious Diseases, Neurology
