Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis by <i>Naegleria fowleri</i>: Pathogenesis and Treatments
<i>Naegleria fowleri</i> is a free-living amoeba (FLA) that is commonly known as the “brain-eating amoeba.” This parasite can invade the central nervous system (CNS), causing an acute and fulminating infection known as primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM). Even though PAM is charact...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2021-09-01
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| Series: | Biomolecules |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/11/9/1320 |
| _version_ | 1797520146143641600 |
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| author | Andrea Güémez Elisa García |
| author_facet | Andrea Güémez Elisa García |
| author_sort | Andrea Güémez |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <i>Naegleria fowleri</i> is a free-living amoeba (FLA) that is commonly known as the “brain-eating amoeba.” This parasite can invade the central nervous system (CNS), causing an acute and fulminating infection known as primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM). Even though PAM is characterized by low morbidity, it has shown a mortality rate of 98%, usually causing death in less than two weeks after the initial exposure. This review summarizes the most recent information about <i>N. fowleri</i>, its pathogenic molecular mechanisms, and the neuropathological processes implicated. Additionally, this review includes the main therapeutic strategies described in case reports and preclinical studies, including the possible use of immunomodulatory agents to decrease neurological damage. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T07:52:42Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-d55b023ff9964697a8f7516098533354 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2218-273X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T07:52:42Z |
| publishDate | 2021-09-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Biomolecules |
| spelling | doaj.art-d55b023ff9964697a8f75160985333542023-11-22T12:10:52ZengMDPI AGBiomolecules2218-273X2021-09-01119132010.3390/biom11091320Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis by <i>Naegleria fowleri</i>: Pathogenesis and TreatmentsAndrea Güémez0Elisa García1Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Anáhuac México Campus Norte, Huixquilucan 52786, Estado de México, MexicoFacultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Anáhuac México Campus Norte, Huixquilucan 52786, Estado de México, Mexico<i>Naegleria fowleri</i> is a free-living amoeba (FLA) that is commonly known as the “brain-eating amoeba.” This parasite can invade the central nervous system (CNS), causing an acute and fulminating infection known as primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM). Even though PAM is characterized by low morbidity, it has shown a mortality rate of 98%, usually causing death in less than two weeks after the initial exposure. This review summarizes the most recent information about <i>N. fowleri</i>, its pathogenic molecular mechanisms, and the neuropathological processes implicated. Additionally, this review includes the main therapeutic strategies described in case reports and preclinical studies, including the possible use of immunomodulatory agents to decrease neurological damage.https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/11/9/1320<i>Naegleria fowleri</i>amoebapathogenesisneurodegenerationneuroinflammationneuropathology |
| spellingShingle | Andrea Güémez Elisa García Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis by <i>Naegleria fowleri</i>: Pathogenesis and Treatments Biomolecules <i>Naegleria fowleri</i> amoeba pathogenesis neurodegeneration neuroinflammation neuropathology |
| title | Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis by <i>Naegleria fowleri</i>: Pathogenesis and Treatments |
| title_full | Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis by <i>Naegleria fowleri</i>: Pathogenesis and Treatments |
| title_fullStr | Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis by <i>Naegleria fowleri</i>: Pathogenesis and Treatments |
| title_full_unstemmed | Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis by <i>Naegleria fowleri</i>: Pathogenesis and Treatments |
| title_short | Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis by <i>Naegleria fowleri</i>: Pathogenesis and Treatments |
| title_sort | primary amoebic meningoencephalitis by i naegleria fowleri i pathogenesis and treatments |
| topic | <i>Naegleria fowleri</i> amoeba pathogenesis neurodegeneration neuroinflammation neuropathology |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/11/9/1320 |
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