Naegleria fowleri

• Naegleria fowleri

  = Infective stage: Trophozoites (ameboid/flagellates)
• Naegleria fowleri

  = Diagnostic stage: Trophozoite in CSF and brain tissue, flagellated forms in CSF
• Naegleria fowleri

  = Mode of transmission: Inhalation or aspiration of water (Swimming), dust, or aerosols containing the trophozoites
• Naegleria fowleri

  = Disease: Primary amebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM)
• Naegleria fowleri

  = Diagnosis: Identification of amebae in the CSF or Biopsy specimens
• Naegleria fowleri 


  = Only ameba with known three morphologic forms; Amoeboid trophozoite, Flagellates, and cysts
• Naegleria fowleri

  LIFE CYCLE

  CDC

  A) Cyst

  B) Trophozoite Stage

  C) Flagellated Stage

  
• Cyst:

  + Round

  + Thick cell-wall

  + single nucleus

  + not seen in the brain tissue
• Trohozoite:

  + Anterior end is broad

  + Posterior is Tapered

  + Sluglike motility

  + Cytoplasm is Granular and Contains Vacuoles
• Flagellates:

  + Pear-shaped

  + Jerky motility

  + Appears when adverse environmental changes occur

  AMEBOID TROPHOZOITE ------ > FLAGELLATE