Abstract
We report the first case of primary amebic meningoencephalitis in Italy, in a 9-year-old boy. Clinical course was fulminant, and diagnosis was made by identifying amebas in stained brain sections and by indirect immunofluorescence analysis. Naegleria fowleri was characterized as genotype I on the basis of polymerase chain reaction test results.
Highlights
Primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) is invariably an acute, often fulminant infection caused by Naegleria fowleri, a small, free-living ameba that occasionally infects humans and other mammals
DNA was extracted with 500 μL of Conclusions As the clinical and epidemiologic history demonstrate, our patient contracted PAM caused by N. fowleri 10 days after swimming and diving in polluted river water in Italy during the unusually hot summer
Though not strictly specific, clinical features of PAM (1,2): 1) hyperacute clinical course; 2) unrelenting signs and symptoms of meningitis and encephalitis, the latter confirmed by computed tomographic (CT) imaging; 3) high levels of peripheral leukocyte count, mainly polymorphonuclear leukocytes; 4) cloudy cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) with leukocytes, hyperproteinosis, low glucose level, and absence of bacteria and fungi; 5) rapid worsening of disease, leading to death within a week
Summary
Primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) is invariably an acute, often fulminant infection caused by Naegleria fowleri, a small, free-living ameba that occasionally infects humans and other mammals. Sion, the patient was febrile (temperature 38°C), with a total leukocyte count of 13,780/mm[3] and C-reactive protein level of 1.2 mg/L. A lumbar puncture showed cloudy cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) with 2.5 mmol/L glucose, 4.54 g/L protein, and a leukocyte count of 6,800/mm[3] with 90% neutrophils.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
