Biology and pathogenesis of Naegleria fowleri.
Naegleria fowleri is a protist pathogen that can cause lethal brain infection. Despite decades of research, the mortality rate related with primary amoebic meningoencephalitis owing to N. fowleri remains more than 90%. The amoebae pass through the nose to enter the central nervous system killing the host within days, making it one of the deadliest opportunistic parasites. Accordingly, we present an up to date review of the biology and pathogenesis of N. fowleri and discuss needs for future research against this fatal infection.
Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Sunway University, Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia.
Ruqaiyyah
R
Siddiqui
Waterborne Disease Prevention Branch, Division of Foodborne Waterborne and Environmental Diseases, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.
Ibne Karim M
IKM
Ali
Waterborne Disease Prevention Branch, Division of Foodborne Waterborne and Environmental Diseases, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.
Jennifer R
JR
Cope
Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Sunway University, Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia. Electronic address: naveed5438@gmail.com.
Naveed Ahmed
NA
Khan
D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology; D020808:Central Nervous System Protozoal Infections / Q000469:parasitology*; D006801:Humans; D016848:Naegleria fowleri
Diagnosis; Muslims; Nasal irrigation; Pathogenic amoebae; Treatment