Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis

Since the discovery of N. fowleri several decades ago, major efforts have failed to prevent and successfully treat primary amoebic meningoencephalitis. It is considered as one of the most aggressive parasitic infections, that almost always leads to death within a few days. The clinical course is dramatic exhibiting headache, stiff neck, seizures, coma, and death. The trophozoite enters the nose via contaminated water or dust, travels along the olfactory neuroepithelial route to reach the central nervous system and to provoke haemorrhagic necrosis. With the devastating nature of this disease and problems associated with its chemotherapy, here we describe the clinical features, pathophysiology and risk factors associated with primary amoebic meningoencephalitis.