Free-Living Amoebae as Human Pathogens: Naegleria fowleri

Introduction

To distinguish naegleriasis from the encephalitis induced by Entamoeba histolytica or other free-living amoebae, the term “primary amoebic meningoencephalitis” was chosen. Naegleriasis is basically a rare disease; however, case reports gain regular attention, such as, for example, the death of children or young people, e.g., from the United States, after they were infected typically while swimming in lakes in the summer months.

Infectious Agent

The genus Naegleria includes more than 30 species which have been isolated from environmental samples (so far). The only human pathogen Naegleria species is the thermophile Naegleria fowleri.

Classification (see also FLA introduction chapter)

• Kingdom: Eukaryota

• System: Protozoa (collective term)

• Phylum: Heterolobosa

• Class: Schizopyrenidea

• Order: Schizopyrenida

• Family: Vahlkampfiidae

• Genus: Naegleria

• Species: Naegleria fowleri

Naegleriacan be found as substrate settlers within moist habitats – mainly in freshwater lakes and ponds...