Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis and the Biology of Naegleria Fowleri

John, David T.

doi:10.1146/annurev.mi.36.100182.000533

Cited by 161 publications

(115 citation statements)

References 45 publications

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“…Notably, involvement of the olfactory lobes may lead to disturbances in the sense of smell or taste and may be prominent early in the progression of the disease, whilst visual instabilities may also ensue. The patient may experience confusion, irritability, and may behave irrationally prior to lapsing into seizures and coma (3). The disease is reffered to as "primary" to differentiate it from infection produced by other parasitic amoebae, which attack the CNS following dissemination through blood.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biology and pathogenesis of Naegleria fowleri

et al. 2016

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2 SummaryNaegleria fowleri is a protist pathogen that can cause lethal brain infection. Despite decades of research, the mortality rate related with primary amoebic meningoencephalitis owing to N. fowleri remains more than 90%. The amoebae pass through the nose to enter the central nervous system killing the host within days, making it one of the deadliest opportunistic parasites. Accordingly, we present an up to date review of the biology and pathogenesis of N.fowleri and discuss needs for future research against this fatal infection.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biology and pathogenesis of Naegleria fowleri

et al. 2016

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“…It is an acute, usually fatal, necrotizing, and hemorrhagic meningoencephalitis. 2 As of 2001, 200 cases of PAM have been reported in humans. About half of these were reported in the United States (G. S. Visvesvara, personal communication).…”

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confidence: 99%

“…The cyst stage is susceptible to desiccation. 2 Only the trophozoite stage of N. fowleri has been detected in CNS lesions. This is in contrast with other free-living opportunistic amoebae, where identification of cyst stages aids in their differentiation from Naegleria.…”

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confidence: 99%

“…In humans, immersion of nostrils in water may not be necessary for infection, as some cases occurred while washing faces without immersion. 2 Other possible sources of infection may have been water sprayed for dust control. If cattle were feeding while aisles were sprayed, deep inhalation of spray is possible.…”

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confidence: 99%

“…Brains were shipped to the CDC in viral transport media containing amphotericin B, to which N. fowleri is very sensitive and which is used for treatment of the infection in humans. 2 Some of the brains were frozen at Ϫ20ЊC or shipped with ice, both of which are temperatures not favorable to survival of Naegleria (G. S. Visvesvara, personal communication). Failure to isolate N. fowleri from water samples in 1999 is unexplained.…”

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confidence: 99%

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Seasonal Meningoencephalitis in Holstein Cattle Caused by Naegleria Fowleri

et al. 2005

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Abstract. Primary amoebic meningoencephalitis is a fulminant infection of the human central nervous system caused by Naegleria fowleri, a free-living amoeba that thrives in artificially or naturally heated water. The infection usually is acquired while bathing or swimming in such waters. The portal of entry is the olfactory neuroepithelium. This report describes fatal meningoencephalitis caused by N. fowleri in Holstein cattle that consumed untreated surface water in an area of California where summer temperatures at times exceed 42ЊC. In the summers of 1998 and 1999, severe multifocal necrosuppurative hemorrhagic meningoencephalitis was observed in brain samples from nine 10-20-month-old heifers with clinical histories of acute central nervous system disease. Olfactory lobes and cerebella were most severely affected. Lesions were also evident in periventricular and submeningeal neuropil as well as olfactory nerves. Naegleria fowleri was demonstrated by immunohistochemistry in brain and olfactory nerve lesions and was isolated from one brain. Even though cultures of drinking water did not yield N. fowleri, drinking water was the likely source of the amoeba. The disease in cattle closely resembles primary amoebic meningoencephalitis in humans. Naegleria meningoencephalitis should be included among differential diagnoses of central nervous system disease in cattle during the summer season in areas with high ambient temperatures.

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Pathogens

Gerba

2005

Encyclopedia of Hydrological Sciences

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Water plays a major role in human disease by serving as the vehicle for the transmission of disease‐causing microorganisms (pathogens), and as a habit for some of their insect hosts. Worldwide, it is estimated that a child dies every 8 s from water‐related diseases. New pathogens, which are transmitted by water, are recognized on a continuing basis providing challenges to both watershed management and water treatment technologies. Microorganisms transmitted by the fecal‐oral route or waterborne pathogens are the most widespread since many may occur in the feces of both infected humans and animals. All surface waters can be expected to contain waterborne pathogens at one time or another. Feces from animals and sewage discharges contaminate surface waters. Groundwater may be contaminated from infiltration from land disposed human and animal wastes or water contaminated with these wastes, septic tanks, and unlined landfills. Contamination of surface and groundwater is always greatest after rainfall events due to the flushing of accumulated animal feces and infiltration of soils. Waterborne pathogens may survive for days to months in the environment. Survival of pathogens in the water environment is largely dependent on temperature and sunlight exposure.

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Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis and the Biology of Naegleria Fowleri

Cited by 161 publications

References 45 publications

Biology and pathogenesis of Naegleria fowleri

Biology and pathogenesis of Naegleria fowleri

Seasonal Meningoencephalitis in Holstein Cattle Caused by Naegleria Fowleri

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