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RESEARCH ARTICLE

Free living amoebae and human disease

Evan Bursle A and Jennifer Robson B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Sullivan Nicolaides Pathology
Whitmore Street
Taringa, Qld 4068, Australia
Email: evanbursle@gmail.com

B Sullivan Nicolaides Pathology
Whitmore Street
Taringa, Qld 4068, Australia
Email: jenny_robson@snp.com.au

Microbiology Australia 37(1) 20-24 https://doi.org/10.1071/MA16009
Published: 11 February 2016

Abstract

Pathogenic FLA are ubiquitous protozoans and despite frequent human contact remain a rare cause of often devastating infection with poor prognosis. Given changes in climate, human encroachment into the environment, increasing immunosuppression, and improving diagnostic capacity, it is likely we will see increased cases in the future. Early diagnosis is challenging but crucial to achieving a favourable outcome. It is best facilitated by improved awareness of FLA disease, appropriate clinical suspicion and early diagnostic testing.


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