In vitro growth, cytopathic effects and clearance of monolayers by clinical isolates of Balamuthia mandrillaris in human skin cell cultures

- Since Balamuthia causes skin infection it probably feeds on skin cells.
- This study examined the capacity of Balamuthia to feed and grow on skin cell lines.
- Balamuthia failed to grow on and destroy the human skin keratinocyte cell line.
- These results supported that the intact epidermis is a barrier for Balamuthia.