A Fatal Case of Naegleria fowleri Meningoencephalitis in Taiwan

Su, Mei Yu; Lee, Ming Shih; Shyu, Ling Yuh; Lin, Wan‐Chen; Hsiao, Pei Ching; Wang, Chi Ping; Ji, Dar Der; Chen, Ke Min; Lai, Shih‐Chan

doi:10.3347/kjp.2013.51.2.203

Cited by 15 publications

(8 citation statements)

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“…Two studies were from China: [ 33 , 34 ]. The remaining studies were from Australia [ 35 ], Bangladesh [ 36 ], Nepal [ 37 ], Norway [ 38 ], Pakistan [ 39 ], Taiwan [ 40 ], Turkey [ 41 ], and Zambia [ 42 ]. A total of 16 (72.7%) patients included in this study died.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Systematic Review of Brain-Eating Amoeba: A Decade Update

Zamzuri

Majid

Mihat

et al. 2023

IJERPH

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Introduction: Primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) is a rare but lethal infection of the brain caused by a eukaryote called Naegleria fowleri (N. fowleri). The aim of this review is to consolidate the recently published case reports of N. fowleri infection by describing its epidemiology and clinical features with the goal of ultimately disseminating this information to healthcare personnel. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was carried out using PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and OVID databases until 31 December 2022 by two independent reviewers. All studies from the year 2013 were extracted, and quality assessments were carried out meticulously prior to their inclusion in the final analysis. Results: A total of 21 studies were selected for qualitative analyses out of the 461 studies extracted. The cases were distributed globally, and 72.7% of the cases succumbed to mortality. The youngest case was an 11-day-old boy, while the eldest was a 75-year-old. Significant exposure to freshwater either from recreational activities or from a habit of irrigating the nostrils preceded onset. The symptoms at early presentation included fever, headache, and vomiting, while late sequalae showed neurological manifestation. An accurate diagnosis remains a challenge, as the symptoms mimic bacterial meningitis. Confirmatory tests include the direct visualisation of the amoeba or the use of the polymerase chain reaction method. Conclusions: N. fowleri infection is rare but leads to PAM. Its occurrence is worldwide with a significant risk of fatality. The suggested probable case definition based on the findings is the acute onset of fever, headache, and vomiting with meningeal symptoms following exposure to freshwater within the previous 14 days. Continuous health promotion and health education activities for the public can help to improve knowledge and awareness prior to engagement in freshwater activities.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Systematic Review of Brain-Eating Amoeba: A Decade Update

Zamzuri

Majid

Mihat

et al. 2023

IJERPH

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“…The present review identified 13 published studies reporting detection of free-living amoebae in pool waters in tropical countries [77,84,85,86,87,88,89,90,91,92,93,94,95] (Table 2). The earlier survey appeared in 1983 [84] and reported the presence of pathogenic and free-living amoebae in swimming pool waters of Mexico City.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Among the organisms isolated, in their cystic or in their trophic stage, were Naegleria fowleri Carter and Acanthamoeba castellanii Douglas [84]. One study in Taiwan reported a fatality caused after swimming in hot springs [85]. The most recent one was carried out in two swimming pools in Alexandria (Egypt) [86].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exotic Tourist Destinations and Transmission of Infections by Swimming Pools and Hot Springs—A Literature Review

Mavridou

Παππά

Papatzitze

et al. 2018

IJERPH

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A growing number of people undertake international travel, and yet faster growth of such travel is expected in the tropics. Information on the hazards presented by pool and hot spring waters in tropical countries is very limited. This review aims to collate available information on pool water quality, alongside data on cases and outbreaks associated with swimming in pools in tropical regions affecting both local populations and travellers. Bacteria species commonly causing cases and outbreaks in the tropics as well as elsewhere in the world were excluded, and the review focuses on studies related to pathogens that, with the exception of Cryptosporidium, are unusual in more temperate climates. Studies concerning subtropical countries were included in the light of climate change. Diseases transmitted by vectors breeding in poorly maintained, neglected or abandoned pools were also included. 83 studies dealing with Microsporidia, Leptospira spp., Schistosomas spp., Cryptosporidium spp., Acanthamoeba spp., Naegleria spp., Clostridium trachomatis, viruses, and vectors breeding in swimming pool and hot tub waters, and fulfilling predefined criteria, have been included in our survey of the literature. In conclusion, prevention strategies for pool safety in the tropics are imperative. Public health authorities need to provide guidance to westerners travelling to exotic destinations on how to protect their health in swimming pools.

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“…Good cooperation from researchers, bathing managers, and agencies authorized to monitor sanitation and quality of bathing water is required; health care centers and laboratories to get surveillance of diseases, risk factors, and efforts to prevent the occurrence of similar cases due to activities in public hot springs. Some literature states that strict action was imposed by the local government on providers of hot spring tours when infection cases were reported, such as in Japan, Taiwan, and Costa Rica (24,25,28,29). This positive effort is very meaningful to support the growing hot spring tourism industry while still prioritizing safety, health, and the comfort of visitors to hot spring tours.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Health Risk in Hot Springs: A Literature Review

Rahel

Adriyani

Nurfitria

2021

Jour. Health Sci Prev

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Natural hot spring is one of the recreational water. The public used it for recreation, relaxation, and therapy. The water quality should meet standards, such as free from microorganisms to prevent the onset of health complaints. This paper aimed to identify the pathogenic microorganisms and recreational water illness in natural hot spring users from worldwide studies. Method: This systematic review analysis use PRISMA Protocol as a guide to provide this article and PEO Framework to specified the criteria. Various database used to find those article is NCBI, Google Scholar, and Science Direct. In total of 10 eligible articles to analyse from 2010 -2020. Discussion: The result showed that hot spring users experienced health complaints after using hot springs contaminated with pathogenic microorganisms. The microorganisms identified were Naegleria spp, Naegleria fowleri, Legionella pneumophila, Vittaforma corneae, Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare Complex (MAC), Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Mycobacterium phocaicum. Recreation water illnesses identified were Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM), Legionella pneumonia, Pseudomonas foliculitis, Pseudomonas mastitis, Microsporidial keratitis, Hot tub lung (HTL), and P. aeruginosa pneumonia. Besides the water quality, age, comorbid, and frequency of visiting hot springs were risk factors of recreational water illness. Conclusion: The onset of recreational water illness in users of hot springs was influenced by the quality of water microbiology and age.

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A Fatal Case of Naegleria fowleri Meningoencephalitis in Taiwan

Cited by 15 publications

References 11 publications

Systematic Review of Brain-Eating Amoeba: A Decade Update

Systematic Review of Brain-Eating Amoeba: A Decade Update

Exotic Tourist Destinations and Transmission of Infections by Swimming Pools and Hot Springs—A Literature Review

Health Risk in Hot Springs: A Literature Review

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