Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 19, 2026

Transfection of a Molecular Clone of Naegleria gruberi rDNA into N. gruberi Trophozoites
06:55

Transfection of a Molecular Clone of Naegleria gruberi rDNA into N. gruberi Trophozoites

Published on: June 21, 2024

Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis in an Infant due to Naegleria fowleri

Vinay Khanna1, Ruchee Khanna, Shrikiran Hebbar

  • 1Department of Microbiology, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, 576104 Karnataka, India.

Case Reports in Neurological Medicine
|September 1, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), a rare and fatal infection caused by Naegleria fowleri, is increasingly resistant to amphotericin B. This case highlights the urgent need to re-evaluate treatment strategies for this devastating amebic brain infection.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) is a rare, fatal infection caused by the free-living amoeba Naegleria fowleri.
  • Early diagnosis and treatment are critical for patient survival.

Observation:

  • A 5-month-old infant presented with symptoms including decreased feeding, fever, vomiting, and abnormal movements.
  • Naegleria fowleri trophozoites were identified in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
  • Despite treatment with amphotericin B and ceftazidime, the infant's condition worsened, leading to expiration.

Findings:

  • Review of 8 previous Indian cases revealed no patient response to amphotericin B in the last 5 years.
  • This suggests a potential emergence of amphotericin B-resistant Naegleria fowleri strains.

Implications:

  • The findings challenge the efficacy of current treatment protocols for PAM.
  • There is a critical need for revised management strategies and development of novel therapeutic agents against Naegleria fowleri.
  • Further research is essential to understand the mechanisms of amphotericin B resistance in Naegleria fowleri.

More Related Videos

Intracerebroventricular and Intravascular Injection of Viral Particles and Fluorescent Microbeads into the Neonatal Brain05:51

Intracerebroventricular and Intravascular Injection of Viral Particles and Fluorescent Microbeads into the Neonatal Brain

Published on: July 24, 2016

Related Concept Videos

Encephalitis l: Introduction01:19

Encephalitis l: Introduction

Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma, most often due to infections or autoimmune processes. It presents with neuropsychiatric features such as fever, altered mental status, behavioral changes, cognitive dysfunction, seizures, focal deficits, and sometimes autonomic instability. In some cases, the meninges are also involved, resulting in meningoencephalitis.Infectious CausesInfectious encephalitis is most commonly viral but can also result from bacterial, fungal, or parasitic...
Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction01:22

Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction

Bacterial meningitis is a severe, life-threatening inflammation of the meninges, particularly the pia mater and arachnoid mater, affecting the subarachnoid space, ventricles, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). If untreated, it can lead to significant neurological complications or death.Causative AgentsCommon pathogens vary with age and immune status. In adults, major organisms include Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, and Haemophilus influenzae. Streptococcus agalactiae (group B...
Bacterial Meningitis II: Pathophysiology01:26

Bacterial Meningitis II: Pathophysiology

Bacterial meningitis typically begins when pathogens such as Neisseria meningitidis and Streptococcus pneumoniae colonize the nasopharynx and invade the bloodstream. This process is facilitated by bacterial virulence factors, such as polysaccharide capsules, which resist phagocytosis and complement-mediated killing. Less commonly, bacteria reach the central nervous system via contiguous spread from infections like otitis media or sinusitis, through congenital or acquired dural defects, or...
Viral Meningitis01:18

Viral Meningitis

Viral meningitis is the most common form of meningitis and is often referred to as aseptic meningitis to indicate the absence of bacterial involvement. It is generally milder than bacterial meningitis, with symptoms including fever, headache, stiff neck, drowsiness, nausea, photophobia, and vomiting. Rarely, more severe manifestations or death may occur. Common causative agents include enteroviruses, particularly coxsackie A and B viruses and echoviruses, all members of the Enterovirus genus...
Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology01:26

Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology

Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma caused by direct viral invasion or immune-mediated mechanisms triggered by infections or tumors. Both processes lead to neuronal injury, disrupted neurotransmission, and diverse neurological symptoms, often with overlapping clinical and pathological features.Autoimmune EncephalitisIn autoimmune encephalitis, antibodies target neuronal antigens on cell surfaces, synapses, or within neurons. A key example is anti-NMDAR encephalitis, which can...
Arboviral Encephalitis01:25

Arboviral Encephalitis

Arboviral encephalitis refers to brain inflammation caused by arthropod-borne viruses, particularly those transmitted through mosquito vectors. Among these, West Nile virus (WNV), a member of the Flaviviridae family, is a significant public health concern. WNV is an enveloped, positive-sense, single-stranded RNA virus. Human infection typically begins when an infected mosquito introduces the virus into the dermis during feeding. The primary transmission cycle involves birds as amplifying hosts...