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Primary amoebic meningoencephalitis
Archives of Disease in Childhood
|February 1, 1981
Abstract:
The third case in the UK of primary amoebic meningoencephalitis is reported; it affected an 11-year-old girl. Six days before admission the girl had swum in a pool fed by hot spring water in which the causative agent Naegleria fowleri was found. Early treatment with amphotericin B would seem to offer the only hope of recovery in this almost uniformly fatal infection.
Insights
Primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) is a rare and fatal brain infection. This report details the third UK case in an 11-year-old girl infected by Naegleria fowleri after swimming in a hot spring pool.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
- Parasitology
Background:
- Primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) is a rare and devastating infection of the central nervous system.
- The causative agent, Naegleria fowleri, is a free-living amoeba found in warm freshwater environments.
- This report documents the third UK case of PAM, highlighting its continued presence and threat.
Observation:
- An 11-year-old girl presented with symptoms consistent with PAM.
- The patient had a history of swimming in a pool supplied by hot spring water.
- Naegleria fowleri was identified in the water source, confirming the likely route of infection.
Findings:
- The case represents the third documented instance of PAM in the United Kingdom.
- The infection was linked to exposure to a recreational water source contaminated with Naegleria fowleri.
- The clinical course underscores the aggressive nature of this amoebic encephalitis.
Implications:
- Early diagnosis and treatment are critical for any chance of survival in PAM cases.
- Amphotericin B is suggested as a potential therapeutic agent, though its efficacy in PAM remains challenging.
- Public health awareness regarding safe water practices in warm environments is crucial to prevent Naegleria fowleri infections.