Sketchy: Naegleria fowleri Flashcards
How do you diagnose Naegleria fowleri?
lumbar puncture –> examine CSF under microscopy: (+) = swimming amoeba present
Cue:
- water bottles
associated with nasal irrigation systems and contact lens solutions
What kind of organism is Naegleria fowleri?
an amoeba
Where is Naegleria fowleri found in nature?
in freshwater lakes (think water skiing, backpacking, hot springs)
Which bacteria is classically associated with swimming in fresh water?
Leptospirosis
In Naegleria fowleri, the trophozoite enters the CNS via cribiform plate, causing _______.
meningoencephalitis
What does Naegleria fowleri cause?
meningoencephalitis
What is the prognosis for Naegleria fowleri?
poor- it’s rapidly fatal
Cue:
- man in the water with a neck brace and red turban
- neck brace = meningitis
- red turban = encephalitis
Cue:
- dead man in the water with head smashed on a rock
rapidly fatal with poor prognosis
Cue:
- man windsurfing
Affects pts involved in water sports
Cue:
- amphibians all over the surviving man
amphoterecin is the tx (start ASAP)
Cue:
- barrel riders in cribs going over Niagra Falls
- Niagra Falls = Naegleria fowleri
- associated with fresh water
- barrel riders = usually fatal/high mortality rate
- cribs = trophozoite enters CNS via cribiform plate
What is the tx for primary amoebic meningoencephalitis from Naegleria fowleri?
amphoterecin
Cue:
- champagne with spinal needle-looking corkscrew
champagne tap (lumbar puncture w/o RBCs present) –> diagnose Naegleria fowleri with LP
