Use of a Human Indirect Immunofluorescence Antibody Assay for Balamuthia Mandrillaris in a Group of Captive Northwest Bornean Orangutans (Pongo Pygmaeus Pygmaeus)

Fatal balamuthosis in a Siberian tiger and a literature review of detection options for free-living amoebic infections in animals

“…IHC is commonly used to differentiate the free-living amoebae in tissues and utilizes described protocols. 3,4,11,12 Curiously, there was cross-reactivity with B. mandrillaris and Acanthamoeba antibodies in our case (Fig. 4B), although the intensity of immunoreactivity was stronger for B. mandrillaris (Fig.…”

“…Three reports used historical serum samples to detect antibodies to B. mandrillaris from apes via immunofluorescence of a reference stock of B. mandrillaris organisms or flow cytometry, but, to our knowledge, these are the only reported uses of serology to detect antibodies to freeliving amoebae in animals. 4,9,14 The study using a serologic assay in orangutans suggested that seroconversion was only reported in one animal with clinical disease, and others without disease were seronegative; however, formal validation of the assay for use in non-human species was not performed. 4 A variety of molecular methods have been used to identify the causative agent in animals and most frequently targeted the 16S and 18S ribosomal RNA genes as well as the 40S ribosomal protein S11 and RNase P genes.…”

“…4,9,14 The study using a serologic assay in orangutans suggested that seroconversion was only reported in one animal with clinical disease, and others without disease were seronegative; however, formal validation of the assay for use in non-human species was not performed. 4 A variety of molecular methods have been used to identify the causative agent in animals and most frequently targeted the 16S and 18S ribosomal RNA genes as well as the 40S ribosomal protein S11 and RNase P genes. 3,6,8,12,14 To date, B. mandrillaris is the only known pathogenic species in the genus Balamuthia and, regardless of gene target used, B. mandrillaris can be distinguished from related amoebae.…”

“… 10 , 15 The morphologic features of trophozoites and cysts, including overall size and number of nucleoli, in this tiger are consistent with those in other cases of balamuthosis in animals. 4 , 5 , 15 Acanthamoeba spp. trophozoites appear similar to the other groups and may have a cyst stage in tissue; the cysts have characteristic finger-like acanthopodia and have a more prominent, 2-layered cyst wall ( Fig.…”

“… 4 , 9 , 14 The study using a serologic assay in orangutans suggested that seroconversion was only reported in one animal with clinical disease, and others without disease were seronegative; however, formal validation of the assay for use in non-human species was not performed. 4 …”