Calif. Man Battles Deadly Illness Caused by Brain-Eating Amoeba

Press Enterprise ^ | Feb 21 2008 | Sarah Burge

[newzjunkey]

Matt Moore, a fire captain in Murrieta, Calif., became seriously ill in November and doctors were initially baffled as to what was causing his sickness, according to the report. Moore, 43, is on life-support in a critical-care unit in San Diego.

Late last month, doctors, using a brain biopsy, pinpointed the illness to parasitic meningoencephalitis, an extremely rare infection caused by the brain-eating amoeba Balamuthia mandrillaris, it is reported.

"This has been a total nightmare," Moore's wife Sherry Moore, 42, told the Press Enterprise. "He's very, very sick, and the prognosis just doesn't look good. At this point, we're all praying for a miracle. Our faith is what's getting us through."

About 150 cases of this disease have been reported worldwide since scientists discovered in the early 1990s that the amoeba can infect humans, according to the report.

Scientists believe the amoeba infects humans by entering through a wound or by being inhaled after it has become airborne, it is reported.

[newzjunkey]

Another case of a brain-eating amoeba. There were stories last year.

[El Sordo]

Ick.

[I see my hands]

"brain eating amoeba"

Anything is better than the brain eating Obama.

[SatinDoll]

Great. Now I have to wear a face mask when weeding the roses and vegetables.

[sageb1]

Sounds like a good tagline.

[beaversmom]

I remember that poor young boy that got it last year. Felt so bad for his family. Hope this guy can defy the odds and beat it.

[2ndDivisionVet]

Mad Cow disease is supposed to be very rare, yet I have talked with dozens of people who know someone that is afflicted. This may be similar...

[Gene Eric]

Prayers for this poor man and his family.

[jazusamo]

Very sad, hopefully the meds they’re giving him will work. Prayers for him and the family.

[Defiant]

Is your tagline a picture of Homer Simpson?

[afortiori]

What could be worse, you ask?

[beaversmom]

Wow, this one is found in the soil.

[I see my hands]

Hmm, now that you mention it..

[Rockitz]

I caught an amoeba while body surfing in Santa Monica Bay about 12 years ago and haven’t been back in the water since- amoebic dysentery is no joy.

[South40]

I caught an amoeba while body surfing in Santa Monica Bay about 12 years ago and haven’t been back in the water since- amoebic dysentery is no joy.

That's why I don't enter the surf here in San Diego; it's most always polluted by the sewage and sludge coming north from Messico. It's a shame too as San Diego has some beautiful beaches.

[Republic of Texas]

Sorry, I thought this article was about the Governor.

[ZULU]

Another Monkey connected disease like Ebola or AIDS.

[Froufrou]

~snorrfle~! Thought it was about Gov. Goodhair ping!

Seriously, I wonder if this is corporate espionage gone awry... >:0(

[SiVisPacemParaBellum]

Silly me, I read too fast and thought it was "Michael"....but really, I don't think there is enough brain matter for a creature that large to survive on in ol' MM's noggin.

Sorry Matt! Get well soon.

[endthematrix]

Oh my! Sounds bad.