Primary amebic meningoencephalitis diagnosed in the emergency department.
Reported is a case of primary amebic meningoencephalitis diagnosed in the emergency department. The patient, a previously healthy teenager, developed Naegleria meningoencephalitis after swimming in a freshwater public pool. The Naegleria caused acute fulminating infection culminating in the death of the patient 36 hours after admission. Results of a spinal tap, together with the history of swimming in warm fresh water, led to the emergency department diagnosis.
D000293:Adolescent; D000562:Amebiasis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008590:Meningoencephalitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000473:pathology