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. 2025 Mar 13;13:60. doi: 10.1186/s40478-025-01963-8

Table 2.

A systematic review of 159 reported cases of B. mandrillaris infection: demographics, initial presentation, outcome, and diagnostic methods

Publication [References #] Demographics (age in years, gender) Clinical presentation Outcome Method of diagnosis Diagnosed by plasma mNGS
Our case 58 F Progressive facial numbness, hemiparesis, imbalance, and tinnitus Deceased mNGS (plasma), qPCR (brain), negative on PCR & mNGS (CSF) Yes
Aboubechara et al. (2024) [120] 4 F Facial droop, dysarthria, hemiparesis, upper respiratory tract symptoms, headache, fever Deceased mNGS (plasma), PCR (CSF) Yes
Xiong et al. (2024) [119] 35 M Fever, limb convulsions, progressive quadriparesis Deceased mNGS (brain) No
Wang et al. (2024) [90] 49 F Headache, dizziness, nausea, emesis, prior skin lesion(s) Deceased mNGS (brain) No
Zheng et al. (2024) [102] 58 M Headache, fever Deceased mNGS (CSF) No
Szymanski et al. (2024) [80] 3 M Fatigue and facial pain, previously healthy with baseline facial palsy with right lip droop Deceased Not specified Not specified
Javed et al. (2024) [33] 33 F Back pain, headache, emesis Deceased PCR & Sanger sequencing (specimen not specified) No
Qin et al. (2024) [66] 47 M Fever following allogenic renal transplant Not specified mNGS (specimen not specified) Not specified
Xu et al. (2024) [94] 66 F Headache Deceased mNGS (CSF) No
Qin et al. (2024) [65] 52 M Headache, difficulty walking, blunted affect Deceased mNGS (CSF), PCR (CSF) No
Li et al. (2024) [46] 77 F Dizziness, unsteady gait Deceased mNGS (CSF) No
Ono et al. (2023) [56] 76 F Headache, nausea Deceased PCR (brain), negative PCR (CSF) No
Gramp et al. (2023) [24] 66 M Skin lesion(s) Deceased PCR (skin & brain) No
Yao et al. (2023) [97] 64 F Headache, abdominal pain, dizziness, unsteady gait, cough, emesis, prior skin lesion(s) Deceased mNGS (CSF), PCR (CSF), qRT-PCR (CSF) No
Spottiswoode et al. (2023) [105] 50s M Seizure Survived mNGS (brain) & Sanger sequencing (brain), negative mNGS (CSF) & PCR(CSF) No
Liu et al. (2023) [47] 61 M Headache Deceased mNGS (CSF) No
Sakusic et al. (2023) [71] 61 F Headache, prior orthotopic heart transplant Deceased Broad-range PCR sequencing (brain) No
Fan et al. (2023) [20] 56 M Transient coma, nausea, emesis Deceased mNGS (CSF) No
Xu et al. (2022) [108] 54 M Headache, dizziness, skin lesion(s) Deceased mNGS (CSF) No
Saffioti et al. (2022) [109] 17 M Headache, weight loss, swollen nose Deceased qPCR (brain) No
Levinson et al. (2022) [106] 80 M Altered mental status, dizziness, vision loss Survived Multiplex RT-qPCR (CSF & brain) No
Tootla et al. (2022) [85] 3(?) Skin lesion(s) Deceased PCR (skin) with bidirectional Sanger sequencing No
Wang et al. (2022) [89] 14 M Skin lesion(s) Survived IHC (skin) No
Wang et al. (2022) [89] 57 F Skin lesion(s) Deceased IHC (skin) No
Wang et al. (2022) [89] 9 M Skin lesion(s) Survived IHC (skin) No
Maehara et al. (2022) [50] 82 M Amnesia, skin lesion(s) Deceased IHC (skin & brain), PCR and sequencing (skin & brain) No
Zhang et al. (2021) [101] 7 M Skin lesion(s) Deceased IHC (skin), PCR (skin), negative NGS (skin) No
Cuoco et al. (2022) [14] 4 M Seizure Survived multiplex RT-qPCR (brain) No
Peng et al. (2022) [59] 54 M Numbness and weakness of extremity Survived mNGS (CSF, brain, & serum) No (serum)
Hu et al. (2022) [30] 37 F Dizziness, skin lesion(s) Deceased mNGS (CSF) No
Ai et al. (2022) [1] 15 M Fever, altered mental status, previous skin lesion(s) Deceased mNGS (CSF), PCR (skin) No
Hirakata et al. (2021) [29] 60 F Homonymous hemianopsia Deceased mNGS (brain), PCR (brain & skin), IHC (brain & skin) No
Kalyatanda (2020) [36] 51 M Seizure, headache, altered mental status, disorientation, left-sided weakness, night sweats, diarrhea Deceased mNGS (plasma), multiplex qPCR (CSF), IHC (brain) Yes
Yi et al. (2020) [98] 9 F Emesis, loss of appetite, fever, headache, difficulty walking, blurred vision, altered mental status Deceased mNGS (CSF) No
Mani et al. (2021) [51] 51 M Blurry vision, headache, imbalance, altered mental status Deceased Multiplex qPCR (CSF) No
Lee et al. (2021) [44] 50 M Headache, dizziness, dysarthria, aphasia Deceased qPCR (brain) No
Zwillman et al. (2021) [103] 65 M Weakness, lethargy, lower extremity cellulitis, fever, encephalopathy Deceased qPCR (brain), IHC (brain) No
Suyo-Prieto et al. (2020) [78] 21 M Seizure, skin lesion(s), nausea, headache Deceased PCR and sequencing (skin) No
Safavi et al. (2021) [70] 3 F Altered mental status, emesis, dizziness, seizure, hemiparesis, ataxia Deceased PCR (brain) No
Wu et al. (2020) [93] 13 F Dizziness, emesis, and blurry vision, prior skin lesion(s) Deceased NGS (CSF), PCR (skin), immunostaining (serum & CSF) No
Aoki et al. (2020) [3] 63 F Dyspnea and left recurrent nerve paralysis Deceased PCR (brain), IHC (brain) No
Pan et al. (2020) [58] 85 F Confusion, weakness, slurred speech Deceased qPCR (brain), PCR (brain) No
Yang et al. (2020) [96] 2 M Fever Deceased NGS (CSF) No
Suzuki et al. (2020) [79] 68 M Seizures, transient right hemiparesis Deceased IHC (brain), PCR (brain) No
Lee et al. (2020) [43] 45 M Seizure Deceased qPCR (brain) No
Kum et al. (2019) [110] 71 M Muscle spasms Deceased Diagnosed based on histomorphology of brain tissue, no confirmatory testing No
Yohannan et al. (2019) [99] 69 F Altered mental status Deceased qPCR (brain), IHC (brain) No
Hara et al. (2019) [116] 56 M Seizure, hemiparalysis, fever, altered level of consciousness Deceased IHC (brain) No
Hara et al. (2019) [116] 72 F Lightheadedness, fever Deceased IHC (brain) No
Hara et al. (2019) [116] 53 M Headache, fever Deceased IHC (brain) No
Hara et al. (2019) [116] 56 F Fever, malaise Deceased IHC (brain) No
Hara et al. (2019) [116] 69 M Altered level of consciousness Deceased IHC (brain) No
Hara et al. (2019) [116] 72 M Loss of appetite, cognitive decline Deceased CSF microscopy, no confirmatory testing No
Hara et al. (2019) [116] 79 M Skin lesion(s) Deceased IHC (brain), PCR (brain) No
Hara et al. (2019) [116] 67 F Diplopia, lightheadedness Deceased Not specified No
Hara et al. (2019) [116] 61 F Homonymous hemianopsia Deceased Whole genome sequencing (brain), PCR (brain), and IHC (brain) No
Hara et al. (2019) [116] 55 M Unknown Deceased IHC (brain), PCR (brain) No
Piper et al. (2018) [62] 69 F Skin lesion(s), seizures, prior chronic sinus infection Deceased qPCR (skin & brain), IFA (serum) No
Tarai et al. (2018) [82] 57 M Altered mental status, seizures Deceased PCR (brain) No
Shehab et al. (2018) [112] 13 F Hemiparesis, slurred speech Deceased Diagnosed based on histomorphology of brain tissue, no confirmatory testing No
Joo et al. (2018) [34] 6 M Headache, fever, emesis Deceased qPCR (CSF) No
Takei et al. (2018) [81] 74 F Somnolence Deceased IHC (brain), negative PCR (CSF, brain) No
Cope et al. (2018) [12] 18 F Headache, fever, lethargy Deceased qPCR (CSF) No
Lehmer et al. (2017) [111] 84 M Skin lesion(s) Survived IFA (brain & skin) No
Mittal et al. (2017) [54] 32 M Seizure Not specified IFA and PCR (specimen not specified) No
Chang et al. (2016) [9] 91 F Skin lesion(s) Survived IHC (skin), PCR (skin) No
Vollmer et al. (2016) [88] 26 M Visual disturbances, lightheadedness, headache, syncope Survived IFA (brain), PCR (brain) No
Kobayashi et al. (2015) [40] 57 F Headache Deceased IHC (brain), PCR (brain) No
Ott et al. (2015) [113] 41 M Encephalitis symptoms Deceased PCR (specimen not specified) No
Roy et al. (2015) [69] 11 M Nausea, emesis, lethargy, clumsiness, and right-sided weakness Deceased IFA (brain, lung), qPCR (brain, CSF), Sanger sequencing (brain, CSF), serology No
Wilson et al. (2015) [92] 74 F Altered mental status, fever Deceased mNGS (CSF), PCR (brain, CSF) Sanger sequencing (brain, CSF), serology, IHC (brain) No
Schafer et al. (2015) [72] 82 M Fever, chills, nausea, emesis, lethargy, altered mental status, prior skin lesion(s) Deceased qPCR (brain), IFA (skin) No
van der Beek et al. (2015) [86] 61 F Fever, headaches, myalgias, prior skin lesions Deceased qPCR (brain, CSF) with sequencing No
Khurana et al. (2015) [39] 18 M Headache, emesis, limb weakness, slurred speech, fever, altered mental status Deceased PCR (brain) No
Khurana et al. (2015) [39] 18 M Headache, diplopia, fever, emesis Deceased PCR (brain) with sequencing No
Greninger et al. (2015) [115] 15 F Limb weakness, headache, emesis, ataxia, confusion Deceased mNGS (CSF, brain), PCR (brain)  No
Itoh et al. (2015) [32] 81 M Somnolence, disoriented, ataxic gait Deceased PCR (brain), IHC (brain) No
Pindyck et al. (2014) [114] 56 M Fever, hyponatremia Deceased IHC (brain), PCR (specimen not specified) No
Lobo et al. (2013) [48] 48 F Headache, neck pain, fever, diplopia, slurred speech, fever Deceased IFA (brain, serum) No
Phillips et al. (2013) [61] 59 M Headache, numbness, tingling Deceased PCR (brain) No
Krasaelap et al. (2013) [42] 4 F Headache, emesis Deceased PCR with sequencing (brain & CSF) No
Moriarty et al. (2013) [117] 4 F Headache, abnormal gait, seizures Survived PCR (brain), serology and IFA (brain) No
Moriarty et al. (2013) [117] 11 F Fever, headache, meningismus Deceased IFA (brain), PCR (brain) No
Kato et al. (2013) [118] 72 M Somnolence, altered level of consciousness, hemiparesis Survived Diagnosed based on CSF morphology, negative PCR (CSF) & IFA (brain) No
Stidd et al. (2012) [77] 2 F Initial fall followed by recurrent falls, ataxia, irritability, lethargy, photophobia, fever Deceased qPCR (brain), IFA (brain) No
Hill et al. (2011) [28] 0 y 8 mo F Lethargy, irritability, seizures, weakness Deceased IFA (brain) No
Doyle et al. (2010) [18] 80 F Skin lesion(s) Survived PCR (brain & skin) No
Yamasaki et al. (2011) [95] 51 F Seizure Deceased IHC (brain), ELISA (brain) No
Silva et al. (2010) [75] 47 F Headache Deceased IHC (brain), PCR (brain) No
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (2010) [7] 27 M Organ donor, presented with presumed stroke, prior skin lesion(s) Deceased Not specified No
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (2010) [7] 56 M Liver transplant recipient, presented with diplopia and difficulty walking Deceased qPCR (brain), IHC (brain & liver) No
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (2010) [7] 24 M Kidney and pancreas transplant recipient, presented with headache, nausea, emesis Deceased qPCR (brain), IHC (brain) No
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (2010) [6] 4 M Organ donor, presented with fever, personality changes, loss of appetite, muscle twitching, headache, seizure Deceased IHC (brain), IFA (brain), PCR (brain) No
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (2010) [6] 31 F Kidney transplant recipient, presented with paresthesias, muscle spasms, headache, nausea, altered mental status, seizure Deceased PCR (brain) No
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (2010) [6] 27 M Kidney transplant recipient, presented with headache, nausea, altered mental status, seizure Survived PCR (CSF) No
Cary et al. (2010) [5] 2 M Vomiting and diarrhea Survived IFA (brain) No
Kansagra et al. (2009) [37] 43 M Fever, headache, and nausea Deceased IFA (brain) No
Prasad et al. (2008) [107] 22 M Numbness, vertigo, difficulty swallowing, weakness, seizure, chronic suppurative otitis media Deceased PCR (brain) No
Silva-Vergara et al. (2007) [76] 32 M Headache, blurred vision, and fever Deceased IFA (brain) No
Perez et al. (2007) [60] 40 M Seizure Deceased IFA (brain) No
Cuevas et al. (2006) [13] 5 F Skin lesion(s) Deceased Diagnosed based on histomorphology of brain tissue, no confirmatory testing No
Tavares et al. (2006) [84] 8 M Headache, medial esotropia, diplopia, signs of intracranial hypertension Deceased IFA (brain), PCR (brain) No
Li et al. (2005) [45] 6 F Headache and stiff neck Deceased IFA (brain) No
White et al. (2004) [91] 32 M Confusion and focal neurological signs, prior skin lesion(s) Deceased IFA (serum) No
Intalapaporn et al. (2004) [31] 23 M Skin lesion(s) Deceased IFA (brain) No
Jung et al. (2004) [35] 72 F Seizure, visual loss, aphasia Survived IFA (brain) No
Pritzker et al. (2004) [64] 89 M Skin lesion(s) Deceased IFA (skin) No
Deetz et al. (2003) [15] 64 M Hemiparesis, speech difficulty, seizure Survived IFA (brain) No
Deetz et al. (2003) [15] 5 F Seizure, fever Survived IFA (brain) No
Bakardjiev et al. (2003) [4] & Schuster et al. (2003) [73] 3 F Fever, fatigue, otitis media, dehydration,seizure, emesis Deceased IFA (serum, brain), PCR (brain) with sequencing  No
Bakardjiev et al. (2003) [4] 2 F Fever, headache, lateral eye deviation, facial palsy, hemiparesis, otitis media Deceased IFA (brain) No
Bakardjiev et al. (2003) [4] 7 M Fever, chills, seizure, wide based gait, cranial nerve palsy (VI), abdominal pain personality change Deceased Elevated serum titers No
Bakardjiev et al. (2003) [4] 2.5 M Fever, emesis, ataxia Deceased IFA (brain), titers (serum, CSF) No
Shirabe et al. (2002) [74] 78 F Fever Deceased IFA (brain) No
Galarza et al. (2002) [21] 12 M Skin lesion(s) Deceased IFA (brain) No
Galarza et al. (2002) [21] 5 M Skin lesion(s), seizure, loss of consciousness Deceased IFA (brain) No
Galarza et al. (2002) [21] 3 F Seizure, loss of consciousness, hemiparesis Deceased IFA (brain) No
Galarza et al. (2002) [21] 6 M Skin lesion(s), hemiparesis, loss of consciousness Deceased IFA (brain) No
Katz et al. (2000) [38] 52 F Seizure, prior skin lesion(s) Deceased IFA (brain) No
Deol et al. (2000) [17] 38 M Skin lesion(s), weight loss, seizures Deceased IFA (brain) No
Recavarren-Arce et al. (1999) [122] 22 M Skin lesion(s), neurological symptoms Deceased IFA (brain) No
Recavarren-Arce et al. (1999) [122] 5 M Skin lesion(s), neurological symptoms Deceased IFA (brain) No
Recavarren-Arce et al. (1999) [122] 9 M Skin lesion(s), neurological symptoms Deceased IFA (brain) No
Recavarren-Arce et al. (1999) [122] 10 M Skin lesion(s), neurological symptoms Deceased IFA (brain) No
Recavarren-Arce et al. (1999) [122] 12 M Skin lesion(s), neurological symptoms Deceased IFA (brain) No
Recavarren-Arce et al. (1999) [122] 50 F Skin lesion(s), neurological symptoms Deceased IFA (brain) No
Recavarren-Arce et al. (1999) [122] 34 M Skin lesion(s), neurological symptoms Deceased IFA (brain) No
Recavarren-Arce et al. (1999) [122] 14 M Skin lesion(s), neurological symptoms Deceased IFA (brain) No
Recavarren-Arce et al. (1999) [122] 28 M Skin lesion(s), neurological symptoms Deceased IFA (brain) No
Kodet et al. (1998) [41] 3 M Lethargy, seizure Deceased IFA (brain) No
Denney et al. (1997) [16] 32 M Nausea, emesis, headache Deceased IFA (brain) No
Reed et al. (1997) [67] 5 M Skin lesion(s) Deceased IFA (brain) No
Duke et al. (1997) [19] 3 M Pharyngitis, fever, chills, emesis, irritability, somnolence Deceased Not specified No
Rowen et al. (1995) [68] 5 M Extremity weakness, slurred speech Deceased IFA (brain) No
Rowen et al. (1995) [68] 15 M Headache, emesis, abdominal pain Deceased IFA (brain) No
Martinez et al. (1994) [52] 14 M Seizure, limb weakness, headache Deceased IFA (brain) No
Zagardo et al. (1997) [100] 34 F Seizure, fever, cranial nerve palsy, pronator drift Deceased IFA (brain) No
Lowichik et al. (1995) [49] 0 y 11 mo F Internal strabismus, unsteady crawling, difficulty grasping objects, cranial nerve palsy Deceased IFA (brain) No
Griesemer et al. (1994) [26] 2 M Otitis media, hemiparesis, aphasia, emesis, lethargy, fever, instability Deceased IFA (brain) No
Griesemer et al. (1994) [26] 13 F Headache, diplopia, hemiparesis, left facial weakness, emesis Deceased IFA (brain) No
Neafie et al. (1993) [55] 1 M Hemiplegia, lethargy Deceased IFA (brain) No
Gordon et al. (1992) [23] 52 M Skin lesion(s), headache, fever, chills Deceased IFA (brain & skin) No
Popek et al. (1992) [63] 0 y 5 mo F Sore throat, otitis media, seizures, fever Deceased IFA (brain) No
Chimelli et al. (1992) [10] 47 F Weakness, myalgia, fever, weight loss, headache Deceased IFA (brain) No
González-Alfonzo et al. (1991) [22] 7 M Pain, swelling, serous eye discharge Deceased IFA (brain) No
Taratuto et al. (1991) [83] 12 M Skin lesion(s), hyperthermia, headache, conjugate gaze deviation, facial palsy, dysarthria, hemiparesis Deceased IFA (brain) No
Anzil et al. (1991) [2] 36 M Headache, fever Deceased IFA (brain) No
Visvesvara et al. (1990) [87] 2 F Headache Deceased IFA (brain) No
Visvesvara et al. (1990) [87] 0 y 3 mo M Diarrhea, dehydration, fever, pneumonia Deceased IFA (brain) No
Visvesvara et al. (1990) [87] 2.5 M Neurologic dysfunction, headache, emesis Deceased IFA (brain) No
Visvesvara et al. (1990) [87] 72 M Chronic renal failure Deceased IFA (brain) No
Visvesvara et al. (1990) [87] 0 y 9 mo F Diarrhea, cough, fever, cranial nerve palsy Deceased IFA (brain) No
Visvesvara et al. (1990) [87] 61 M Altered mental status, prior skin lesion(s) Deceased IFA (brain) No
Visvesvara et al. (1990) [87] 22 M Head injury, headache, seizure Deceased IFA (brain) No
Visvesvara et al. (1990) [87] 11 F Seizure, headache, fever vomiting Deceased IFA (brain) No
Visvesvara et al. (1990) [87] 39 M Seizure, cranial nerve deficits, coma Deceased IFA (brain) No
Visvesvara et al. (1990) [87] 22 M Headache, seizure, nasal mass Deceased IFA (brain) No
Visvesvara et al. (1990) [87] 30 M Headache, nausea, emesis, dizziness, diplopia Deceased IFA (brain) No
Visvesvara et al. (1990) [87] 60 M Skin lesion(s) Deceased IFA (brain) No
Visvesvara et al. (1990) [87] 60 M Seizure, hemiparesis Deceased IFA (brain) No