Primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM): clinical features

Evidence-based neurology checklist on primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (pam): clinical features: Pathology This is caused by Naegleria fowleri It is a thermophylic free-living amoeboflagellate It enters the nervous system through the nasal mucosa It invades as the trophozoite form It incites…

Pathology

  • This is caused by Naegleria fowleri
  • It is a thermophylic free-living amoeboflagellate
  • It enters the nervous system through the nasal mucosa
  • It invades as the trophozoite form
  • It incites cytokines via toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) pathway
  • The incubation period is 2-8 days: it may be as short as 24 hours
  • It causes necrosis of the olfactory bulbs and orbitofrontal cortex

Parasite habitats

Risky activities

Meningeal features

Other neurological features

Cardiac features

Differential diagnosis

Outcome

References

  1. Siddiqui R, Khan NA. Primary amoebic meningoencephalitis caused by Naegleria fowleri: an old enemy presenting new challenges. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2014; 8:e3017. 
  2. Grace E, Asbill S, Virga K. Naegleria fowleri: pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment options. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2015; 59:6677-6681. 
  3. Shrestha GS, Parajuli NP, Shrestha PS, et al. Primary amoebic meningoencephalitis. J Neurosci Rural Pract 2015; 6:284-286. 
  4. Martínez-Castillo M, Santos-Argumedo L, Galván-Moroyoqui JM, Serrano-Luna J, Shibayama M. Toll-like receptors participate in Naegleria fowleri recognition. Parasitol Res 2018; 117:75-87.

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