Successful treatment of an adolescent with Naegleria fowleri primary amebic meningoencephalitis

Pediatrics. 2015 Mar;135(3):e744-8. doi: 10.1542/peds.2014-2292. Epub 2015 Feb 9.

Abstract

Naegleria fowleri is a thermophilic, free-living ameba that causes primary amebic meningoencephalitis. The infections are nearly always fatal. We present the third well-documented survivor of this infection in North America. The patient's survival most likely resulted from a variety of factors: early identification and treatment, use of a combination of antimicrobial agents (including miltefosine), and management of elevated intracranial pressure based on the principles of traumatic brain injury.

Keywords: Naegleria fowleri; hypothermia; miltefosine; primary amebic meningoencephalitis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Amebiasis / diagnosis
  • Amebiasis / drug therapy*
  • Amebiasis / parasitology
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Central Nervous System Protozoal Infections / diagnosis
  • Central Nervous System Protozoal Infections / drug therapy*
  • Central Nervous System Protozoal Infections / parasitology
  • Cerebrospinal Fluid / parasitology
  • Child
  • DNA, Protozoan / analysis
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Naegleria fowleri / genetics
  • Naegleria fowleri / isolation & purification*

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • DNA, Protozoan