infections
Amebic Brain Infection: Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis
Treatment of Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis
A combination of medications Because few people survive, determining the best treatment for primary amebic meningoencephalitis is difficult. Doctors typically use a combination of several medications including Miltefosine and one or more of the following: Amphotericin B(typically used to treat fungal infections—an antifungal medication) Rifampin(an antibiotic) Fluconazoleor the related medicationsvoriconazole,ketoconazole, oritraconazole(antifungal medications) Azithromycin(an antibiotic) Althoughmiltefosinecan cause birth defects in pregnant women, doctors often use it anyway because primary amebic encephalitis is usually fatal without treatment, so the potential benefits of therapy outweigh the risk. Women of childbearing age who are taking this medication must use effective birth control measures. 