Naegleria fowleri (Primary amebic meningoencephalitis)
Naegleria fowleri (Primary amebic meningoencephalitis)
Parasitology
Protozoa
Worms
Diphyllobothrium latum
Echinococcus granulosus (Hydatid disease)
Ancylostoma duodenale and Necator americanus
Angiostrongylus (Eosinophilic meningitis)
Anisakis
Ascaris lumbricoides
Enterobius vermicularis (Pinworm)
Guinea worm (Dracunculiasis)
Loa loa (Eye worm)
Onchocerca volvulus (River blindness)
Strongyloides stercoralis
Toxocara canis (Visceral larva migrans)
Trichinella spiralis
Trichuris trichiura (Whipworm)
Wuchereria bancrofti (Lymphatic filariasis)
Clonorchis sinensis
Paragonimus westermani
Schistosomes
Summary
Naegleria fowleri is an amoeba that can be pathogenic, causing a fulminant brain infection known as primary amoebic meningoencephalitis. It is often called "brain-eating amoeba" because it can destroy brain tissue and is usually fatal. This microorganism is typically found in bodies of warm freshwaters, such as ponds, lakes, rivers, and hot springs, and may gain access to the central nervous system through the nose and then the cribriform plate.