Assessing the Risk of Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis from Swimming in the Presence of Environmental<i>Naegleria fowleri</i>

Cabanes, Pierre‐André; Wallet, France; Pringuez, Emmanuelle; Pernin, Pierre

doi:10.1128/aem.67.7.2927-2931.2001

Cited by 46 publications

(30 citation statements)

References 39 publications

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“…Since the risk of infection seems to be depending on the concentration (Cabanes et al 2001), all measures aiming at reducing the number of N. fowleri in the bath are important. It is difficult to determine the acceptable risk in the light of the severity of the disease.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Soil is the origin for the presence of Naegleria fowleri in the thermal recreational waters

et al. 2014

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Naegleria fowleri is found in most geothermal baths of Guadeloupe and has been responsible for the death of a 9-year-old boy who swam in one of these baths in 2008. We wanted to determine the origin for the presence of this amoeba in the water. Water samples were taken at the origin of the geothermal sources and at the arrival in the baths. After filtration, cultures were made and the number of Naegleria present was determined using the most probable number method. Soil samples collected in the proximity of the baths were also tested for the presence of thermophilic amoebae. The species identification was obtained by PCR. During three consecutive months, no Naegleria could be found at the origin of any geothermal source tested. In contrast, N. fowleri was isolated at least once in all baths at the arrival of the water, except one. Thermophilic amoebae could be found in each soil sample, especially near the baths located at a lower altitude, but N. fowleri was only isolated near two baths, which were also the baths most often contaminated with this species. So it appears that the contamination of the water with N. fowleri occurs after emerging from the geothermal source when the water runs over the soil. Therefore, it should be possible to reduce the concentration of N. fowleri in the geothermal baths of Guadeloupe to for example less than 1 N. fowleri/10 L by installing a pipeline between the geothermal sources and the baths and by preventing flooding water from entering the baths after rainfall. By taking these measures, we were able to eliminate N. fowleri from a pool located inside a reeducation clinic.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Soil is the origin for the presence of Naegleria fowleri in the thermal recreational waters

et al. 2014

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“…However, these species grew only between room temperature and 30°C (146) (95,117,136). Despite the ubiquity of Naegleria, infections are comparatively rare, and the estimated risk of becoming infected with Naegleria is low (80). However, in one Australian study, an "outbreak" of N. fowleri infection was described where 19 cases of probable PAM occurred between 1947 and 1972 (117).…”

Section: Naegleria Fowlerimentioning

confidence: 99%

Importance of Nonenteric Protozoan Infections in Immunocompromised People

et al. 2010

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SUMMARY There are many neglected nonenteric protozoa able to cause serious morbidity and mortality in humans, particularly in the developing world. Diseases caused by certain protozoa are often more severe in the presence of HIV. While information regarding neglected tropical diseases caused by trypanosomatids and Plasmodium is abundant, these protozoa are often not a first consideration in Western countries where they are not endemic. As such, diagnostics may not be available in these regions. Due to global travel and immigration, this has become an increasing problem. Inversely, in certain parts of the world (particularly sub-Saharan Africa), the HIV problem is so severe that diseases like microsporidiosis and toxoplasmosis are common. In Western countries, due to the availability of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), these diseases are infrequently encountered. While free-living amoebae are rarely encountered in a clinical setting, when infections do occur, they are often fatal. Rapid diagnosis and treatment are essential to the survival of patients infected with these organisms. This paper reviews information on the diagnosis and treatment of nonenteric protozoal diseases in immunocompromised people, with a focus on patients infected with HIV. The nonenteric microsporidia, some trypanosomatids, Toxoplasma spp., Neospora spp., some free-living amoebae, Plasmodium spp., and Babesia spp. are discussed.

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“…A second consequence is that N. fowleri can colonize and proliferate in artificial aquatic environments such as swimming pools, cooling systems, and water supplies when temperatures are suitable, 25°C and above, becoming progressively more selective up to approximately 42°C (7,9). Analysis of environmental samples may have an epidemiological purpose, identifying sources of recent N. fowleri infection (15), or be prospective, as an element of risk assessment (3). In either case, the timeliness of identifications can be critical.…”

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confidence: 99%

Rapid, Sensitive, and Discriminating Identification ofNaegleriaspp. by Real-Time PCR and Melting-Curve Analysis

Robinson

Monis

Dobson

2006

Appl Environ Microbiol

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The free-living amoeboflagellate genus Naegleria includes one pathogenic and two potentially pathogenic species (Naegleria fowleri, Naegleria italica, and Naegleria australiensis) plus numerous benign organisms. Monitoring of bathing water, water supplies, and cooling systems for these pathogens requires a timely and reliable method for identification, but current DNA sequence-based methods identify only N. fowleri or require full sequencing to identify other species in the genus. A novel closed-tube method for distinguishing thermophilic Naegleria species is presented, using a single primer set and the DNA intercalating dye SYTO9 for real-time PCR and melting-curve analysis of the 5.8S ribosomal DNA gene and flanking noncoding spacers (ITS1, ITS2). Collection of DNA melting data at close temperature intervals produces highly informative melting curves with one or more recognizable melting peaks, readily distinguished for seven Naegleria species and the related Willaertia magna. Advantages over other methods used to identify these organisms include its comprehensiveness (encompassing all species tested to date), simplicity (no electrophoresis required to verify the product), and sensitivity (unambiguous identification from DNA equivalent to one cell). This approach should be applicable to a wide range of microorganisms of medical importance.

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Assessing the Risk of Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis from Swimming in the Presence of EnvironmentalNaegleria fowleri

Cited by 46 publications

References 39 publications

Soil is the origin for the presence of Naegleria fowleri in the thermal recreational waters

Soil is the origin for the presence of Naegleria fowleri in the thermal recreational waters

Importance of Nonenteric Protozoan Infections in Immunocompromised People

Rapid, Sensitive, and Discriminating Identification ofNaegleriaspp. by Real-Time PCR and Melting-Curve Analysis

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