n. a genus of *amoebae that normally live in damp soil or mud. Naegleria species can, however, live as parasites in humans: N. fowleri is responsible for primary amoebic *meningoencephalitis, a very rare, but fatal, infection of the brain.
A minute protozoan organism consisting of a single cell, in which a nucleus is surrounded by protoplasm that changes its shape as the protozoon progresses or absorbs nourishment. Several varieties are found under di?erent conditions within the human body. One variety, Entamoeba coli, is found in the large intestine of humans without any associated disease; another, Entamoeba gingivalis, is found in the sockets of the teeth and associated with PYORRHOEA. Entamoeba histolytica is the causative organism of amoebic dysentery (see DYSENTERY); Acanthamoeba and Naegleria fowleri cause the infection of the brain known as MENINGOENCEPHALITIS. Entamoeba histolytica may also cause meningoencephalitis. Other forms are found in the genital organs.... amoeba
Meningoencephalitis is the term applied to infection of the membranes, or MENINGES, of the brain and the underlying brain matter. In practically all cases of MENINGITIS there is some involvement of the underlying brain, and it is when this involvement is considerable that the term, meningoencephalitis, is used. One form that has attracted attention in recent years is that caused by amoebae (see AMOEBA), particularly that known as Naegleria fowleri, in which the infection is acquired through bathing in contaminated water. E?ective chlorination of swimming baths kills this micro-organism.... meningoencephalitis
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