Primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM): clinical features
Written and reviewed by Dr Ibrahim Imam, Consultant Neurologist. Last reviewed .
Primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM): clinical features. This is caused by Naegleria fowleri. Fully referenced neurology checklist.
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
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Risky activities
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Meningeal features
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Other neurological features
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Cardiac features
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Differential diagnosis
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Outcome
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References
- Siddiqui R, Khan NA. Primary amoebic meningoencephalitis caused by Naegleria fowleri: an old enemy presenting new challenges. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2014; 8:e3017.
- Grace E, Asbill S, Virga K. Naegleria fowleri: pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment options. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2015; 59:6677-6681.
- Shrestha GS, Parajuli NP, Shrestha PS, et al. Primary amoebic meningoencephalitis. J Neurosci Rural Pract 2015; 6:284-286.
- 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.
