Document Type
Article
Department
Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Abstract
First discovered in 1899, Naegleria fowleri is a protist pathogen, known to infect the central nervous system and produce primary amoebic meningoencephalitis. The most distressing aspect is that the fatality rate has remained more than 95%, despite our advances in antimicrobial chemotherapy and supportive care. Although rare worldwide, most cases have been reported in the United States, Australia, and Europe (France). A large number of cases in developing countries go unnoticed. In particular, religious, recreational, and cultural practices such as ritual ablution and/or purifications, Ayurveda, and the use of neti pots for nasal irrigation can contribute to this devastating infection. With increasing water scarcity and public reliance on water storage, here we debate the need for increased awareness of primary amoebic meningoencephalitis and the associated risk factors, particularly in developing countries.
Publication (Name of Journal)
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases
Recommended Citation
Siddiqui, R.,
Khan, N. A.
(2014). Primary amoebic meningoencephalitis caused by Naegleria fowleri: An old enemy presenting new challenges. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 8(8), e3017.
Available at:
https://ecommons.aku.edu/pakistan_fhs_mc_bbs/614
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.