UC San Diego researchers discover marine compound to combat Naegleria fowleri

Researchers at the University of California San Diego have identified a marine-derived compound, rutamycin B, that shows significant potential in treating infections caused by the amoeba Naegleria fowleri. This parasite causes primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), a rare but highly lethal disease with a fatality rate exceeding 97%.

In laboratory tests, rutamycin B—isolated from a marine bacterium—demonstrated the ability to kill multiple clinical strains of the amoeba within four hours. This speed is notable as it significantly outpaces the current gold-standard treatment, amphotericin B, which can act too slowly or require toxic doses to be effective.

While the compound appears to spare human cells in initial tests, researchers noted that further work is required to confirm its safety and clinical effectiveness. The discovery highlights the therapeutic potential of marine chemical libraries in addressing challenging medical conditions.