RT Journal Article SR Electronic(1) A1 Jayasekera, Samantha A1 Sissons, James A1 Tucker, Julie A1 Rogers, Claire A1 Nolder, Debbie A1 Warhurst, David A1 Alsam, Selwa A1 White, Jonathan M.L. A1 Higgins, E. M. A1 Khan, Naveed AhmedYR 2004 T1 Post-mortem culture of Balamuthia mandrillaris from the brain and cerebrospinal fluid of a case of granulomatous amoebic meningoencephalitis, using human brain microvascular endothelial cells JF Journal of Medical Microbiology, VO 53 IS 10 SP 1007 OP 1012 DO https://doi.org/10.1099/jmm.0.45721-0 PB Microbiology Society, SN 1473-5644, AB The first isolation in the UK of Balamuthia mandrillaris amoebae from a fatal case of granulomatous amoebic meningoencephalitis is reported. Using primary cultures of human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMECs), amoebae were isolated from the brain and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The cultures showed a cytopathic effect at 20–28 days, but morphologically identifiable B. mandrillaris amoebae were seen in cleared plaques in subcultures at 45 days. The identification of the organism was later confirmed using PCR on Chelex-treated extracts. Serum taken while the patient was still alive reacted strongly with slide antigen prepared from cultures of the post-mortem isolate, and also with those from a baboon B. mandrillaris strain at 1 : 10 000 in indirect immunofluorescence, but with Acanthamoeba castellanii (Neff) at 1 : 160, supporting B. mandrillaris to be the causative agent. If the presence of amoebae in the post-mortem CSF reflects the condition in life, PCR studies on CSF and on biopsies of cutaneous lesions may also be a valuable tool. The role of HBMECs in understanding the interactions of B. mandrillaris with the blood–brain barrier is discussed., UL https://www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/journal/jmm/10.1099/jmm.0.45721-0