Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 5, 2026

Discovery of New Intracellular Pathogens by Amoebal Coculture and Amoebal Enrichment Approaches
09:04

Discovery of New Intracellular Pathogens by Amoebal Coculture and Amoebal Enrichment Approaches

Published on: October 27, 2013

14.4K

Emerging patents versus brain eating amoebae, Naegleria fowleri

Ruqaiyyah Siddiqui1,2, David Lloyd3, Naveed Ahmed Khan2,4

  • 1Institute of Biological Chemistry, Biophysics and Bioengineering, Heriot-Watt University Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.

Pharmaceutical Patent Analyst
|February 4, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Emerging patents offer new hope for treating and diagnosing Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM), a severe brain infection caused by Naegleria fowleri. Innovations in therapeutics, diagnostics, and water treatment are reviewed to combat this rare but deadly pathogen.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Environmental Health

Background:

  • Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM) is a rare, devastating central nervous system infection caused by Naegleria fowleri.
  • Infection commonly occurs through nasal exposure to contaminated warm freshwater or inadequately treated recreational water.
  • Current challenges include a lack of effective treatments and difficulties in early diagnosis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent patents (past five years) relevant to PAM management.
  • To identify emerging innovations in therapeutic agents, diagnostic methods, and water treatment technologies.
  • To highlight the need for interdisciplinary collaboration to combat Naegleria fowleri.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic review of patent literature from the last five years.
  • Categorization of patents into therapeutic agents, water treatment, and diagnostic methods.
  • Analysis of recent research and innovations in PAM control.

Main Results:

  • Identified emerging patented technologies for PAM treatment and diagnosis.
  • Reviewed novel water treatment strategies to prevent Naegleria fowleri contamination.
  • Highlighted advancements in diagnostic tools for early PAM detection.

Conclusions:

  • Recent patents show promise for improved PAM treatment, diagnosis, and prevention.
  • Collaboration between industry, academia, and public health is crucial for developing effective PAM strategies.
  • Increased awareness and technological advancement are key to mitigating the impact of this severe pathogen.
Keywords:
Naegleria fowleribrain eating amoebaecentral nervous system infectionspatentsprimary amebic meningoencephalitis

More Related Videos

Neisseria meningitidis Infection of Induced Pluripotent Stem-Cell Derived Brain Endothelial Cells10:12

Neisseria meningitidis Infection of Induced Pluripotent Stem-Cell Derived Brain Endothelial Cells

Published on: July 14, 2020

2.3K
Author Spotlight: Understanding the Propagation of Closed Circular Extrachromosomal rDNA Containing Element (CERE) in Naegleria gruberi06:55

Author Spotlight: Understanding the Propagation of Closed Circular Extrachromosomal rDNA Containing Element (CERE) in Naegleria gruberi

Published on: June 21, 2024

499

Related Concept Videos

Fungal Phylum Microsporidia01:28

Fungal Phylum Microsporidia

Microsporidia are a group of obligate intracellular fungi that were initially classified as protists but were later reclassified based on phylogenetic, molecular, and structural evidence linking them to the Chytridiomycota. These unicellular, non-motile organisms are highly specialized parasites that infect a wide range of animal hosts, including humans. They have evolved extensive genomic and metabolic reductions, making them highly dependent on their hosts for survival.Morphology and Genomic...
787
Diversity of Protists I01:15

Diversity of Protists I

Excavata is a diverse group of protists that includes both chemoorganotrophic and phototrophic species, with some thriving in anaerobic environments. Among the key groups within Excavata are diplomonads and parabasalids, which are flagellated protists that lack mitochondria and chloroplasts. These microorganisms typically inhabit anoxic environments, such as the intestines of animals, where they exist either symbiotically or as parasites, relying on fermentation for energy production. Some...
2.3K
Diversity of Protists II01:27

Diversity of Protists II

Alveolates are a group of organisms recognized by the presence of alveoli, which are cytoplasmic sacs located beneath the cell membrane. While their function remains uncertain, alveoli may help regulate water balance by controlling how much water enters and leaves the cell. In dinoflagellates, these structures may serve as armor plates. There are three major types of alveolates: ciliates, which move using cilia; dinoflagellates, which use flagella for movement; and apicomplexans, which are...
2.3K
Diversity of Protists IV01:27

Diversity of Protists IV

Amoebozoa represent a diverse group of terrestrial and aquatic protists that utilize lobe-shaped pseudopodia for locomotion and feeding. This characteristic differentiates them from the Rhizaria, which possess threadlike pseudopodia. The primary classifications within Amoebozoa include gymnamoebas, entamoebas, and the plasmodial and cellular slime molds. Phylogenetic evidence indicates that Amoebozoa diverged from a lineage that ultimately gave rise to fungi and animals.Gymnamoebas and...
2.1K
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...
70
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...
27