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Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis by Naegleria fowleri: Pathogenesis and Treatments

Andrea Güémez1, Elisa García1

  • 1Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Anáhuac México Campus Norte, Huixquilucan 52786, Estado de México, Mexico.

Biomolecules
|September 28, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Naegleria fowleri, the brain-eating amoeba, causes deadly primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM). This review covers its mechanisms, pathology, and emerging therapies, including immunomodulation for brain damage.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Neuroscience
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Naegleria fowleri (N. fowleri) is a free-living amoeba (FLA) known as the
  • brain-eating amoeba.
  • It causes primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), a severe CNS infection with a 98% mortality rate, typically leading to death within two weeks of exposure.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the latest information on N. fowleri.
  • To detail its pathogenic molecular mechanisms and associated neuropathological processes.
  • To summarize current therapeutic strategies and explore immunomodulatory agents for reducing neurological damage.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent studies on N. fowleri.
  • Analysis of pathogenic mechanisms and neuropathology.
  • Compilation of therapeutic strategies from case reports and preclinical research.

Main Results:

  • N. fowleri invades the central nervous system (CNS), causing rapidly fatal PAM.
  • Understanding of N. fowleri's molecular pathogenesis and neuropathological effects is advancing.
  • Therapeutic options are limited, but immunomodulatory agents show potential for mitigating neurological damage.

Conclusions:

  • N. fowleri poses a significant threat due to the high mortality of PAM.
  • Further research into N. fowleri's mechanisms and effective treatments, including immunomodulation, is crucial.
  • Developing novel therapeutic strategies is essential to combat this devastating infection.
Keywords:
Naegleria fowleriamoebaneurodegenerationneuroinflammationneuropathologypathogenesistreatment

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