Naegleriasis
Naegleriasis (pronounced: nay-gle-ri-a-sis) is a rare and usually fatal brain infection caused by the amoeba Naegleria fowleri.
Etymology
The term "Naegleriasis" is derived from the genus name of the amoeba, Naegleria, which was named after the French zoologist Mathieu Naegler, and the Greek suffix "-iasis", which denotes "a condition of disease".
Causes
Naegleriasis is caused by the free-living amoeba Naegleria fowleri, which is commonly found in warm freshwater environments such as hot springs, lakes, and hot tubs. The amoeba enters the body through the nose and travels to the brain where it causes severe damage.
Symptoms
The symptoms of Naegleriasis include severe frontal headache, fever, nausea, and vomiting, followed by stiff neck, seizures, altered mental status, hallucinations, and coma. Symptoms usually begin 1 to 9 days after exposure and progress rapidly.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of Naegleriasis is typically made by examining cerebrospinal fluid or brain tissue and detecting the amoeba microscopically or through molecular methods such as PCR.
Treatment
Treatment for Naegleriasis includes a combination of antimicrobial drugs, including Amphotericin B, rifampin, and miltefosine. However, the disease is often fatal despite treatment.
Prevention
Prevention of Naegleriasis involves avoiding activities in warm freshwater environments, or using nose clips or holding the nose shut while in such environments.
See also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Naegleriasis
- Wikipedia's article - Naegleriasis
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