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Fatal primary meningoencephalitis caused by Naegleria fowleri

Ali Shariq1, Faisal Iqbal Afridi1, Badar Jahan Farooqi1

  • 1Department of Microbiology, Dr. Ziauddin University Hospital, North Nazimabad Campus, Karachi.

Journal of the College of Physicians and Surgeons--Pakistan : JCPSP
|July 24, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Naegleria fowleri, a brain-eating amoeba, caused a fatal infection in a Karachi man. Early detection via cerebrospinal fluid analysis is crucial for this rare but lethal neurological disease.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Neuroscience
  • Parasitology

Background:

  • Naegleria fowleri is a free-living amoeba found in warm freshwater environments.
  • It causes primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), a devastating infection of the central nervous system.
  • Infection occurs when amoebae enter the nasal passages, typically during water-related activities.

Observation:

  • A case of PAM is reported in Karachi, Pakistan.
  • The patient was a 42-year-old male poultry farm worker with no history of swimming.
  • The clinical course was rapid, leading to death within one week of hospital admission.

Findings:

  • Naegleria fowleri was identified in the patient's cerebrospinal fluid using a wet mount technique.
  • This diagnosis was confirmed post-mortem, highlighting the challenges in rapid ante-mortem diagnosis.
  • The case underscores the potential for infection outside of typical recreational water exposure.

Implications:

  • This case highlights the need for increased awareness of Naegleria fowleri infections, even in non-swimmers.
  • Prompt diagnosis and treatment are critical for improving patient outcomes in PAM.
  • Public health strategies may need to address environmental contamination and potential exposure routes beyond recreational activities.

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