What are Acanthamoeba spp. and Naegleria fowleri?
Several species of Acanthamoeba can invade the brain and meninges of immunocompromised individuals and cause granulomatous amoebic encephalitis. Acanthamoeba usually enters the body through a cut, wound, or through the nostrils. The amoebas then spread via the bloodstream to other parts of the body such as the lungs, brain, and spinal cord. Symptoms include headaches, stiff neck, nausea and vomiting, tiredness, confusion, lack of attention to people and surroundings, loss of balance and bodily control, seizures, and hallucinations. The mortality rate associated with Acanthamoeba infection is very high. Naegleria fowleri causes the disease primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM). Infection occurs by the organism entering the body through the nose then traveling to the brain and spinal cord. This generally occurs when people use warm freshwater for activities such as swimming or diving. The initial symptoms include headache, fever, nausea, vomiting, and stiff neck. Later symptoms includ
