Primary amebic meningoencephalitis and naegleria fowleri: An update

Abstract

© 2018, SEAMEO TROPMED Network. All rights reserved. Free living amebae, Naegleria spp, are found in natural and recreation water worldwide. Pathogenic N. fowleri causes primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), which leads to lethal infection of the central nervous system in humans and animals. PAM and bacterial meningitis have similar clinical manifestations, such as high grade fever with flu-like symptoms, nausea, vomiting and neurological changes, thereby leading to possible misdiagnosis. As PAM progresses rapidly, diagnosis is usually made after death. This review describes recent incidents of PAM in particularly those in Thailand due to water irrigation, pathogenesis and detection of N. fowleri in Thailand.