Fatal Meningoencephalitis in Child and Isolation of<i>Naegleria fowleri</i>from Hot Springs in Costa Rica

Abrahams-Sandí, Elizabeth; Retana-Moreira, Lissette; Castro-Castillo, Alfredo; Reyes-Batllé, María; Lorenzo‐Morales, Jacob

doi:10.3201/eid2102.141576

Cited by 19 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…In 2014, PAM was confirmed as the cause of death in an 11-year-old Florida resident who had traveled to Costa Rica and participated in swimming, zip lining, and water slide use at a resort hot springs in the two weeks preceding his illness onset [14]. Naegleria fowleri was subsequently identified in water samples taken from the resort hot spring and river pond [15]. While the patient's parents were aware of the risk of PAM in Florida waters and took appropriate precautions, they did not know of the risk outside of the United States.…”

Section: Epidemiology Of Pammentioning

confidence: 99%

Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis: What Have We Learned in the Last 5 Years?

Cope

Ali

2016

Curr Infect Dis Rep

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Primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) is a devastating infection of the brain caused by the thermophilic free-living ameba, Naegleria fowleri. Infection can occur when water containing the ameba enters the body through the nose, usually during recreational water activities such as swimming or diving. Historically, in the United States, cases were mostly reported from the warmer southern-tier states. In the last five years, several notable changes have been documented in PAM epidemiology including a northward expansion of infections and new types of water exposures. The recent reports of two PAM survivors provide hope for improved outcomes with early diagnosis and aggressive treatment. Advanced molecular laboratory tools such as genome sequencing might provide more insight into the pathogenicity of Naegleria fowleri. Clinicians treating patients with meningitis and warm freshwater exposure are encouraged to consider PAM in their differential diagnoses.

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Section: Epidemiology Of Pammentioning

confidence: 99%

Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis: What Have We Learned in the Last 5 Years?

Cope

Ali

2016

Curr Infect Dis Rep

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“…The most recent study associated a fatal primary amoebic meningoencephalitis case in a child and the isolation of Naegleria fowleri from hot springs at the resort visited by the child (Abrahams‐Sandí et al. ). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that reports the detection, identification, and genotyping of Acanthamoeba isolated from dental units in Costa Rica and even in Latin‐America.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Isolation and Molecular Characterization of Acanthamoeba Strains from Dental Units in Costa Rica

Retana-Moreira

Abrahams-Sandí

Castro-Artavia

et al. 2015

J Eukaryotic Microbiology

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Free-living amoebae are protozoa widely distributed in nature, which can be found in a variety of environments. Four genera are recognized as causal agents of infections in humans and animals: Acanthamoeba, Naegleria, Balamuthia, and Sappinia. In this study, the presence of Acanthamoeba in dental units was determined and the isolates obtained were molecularly characterized; osmotolerance and thermotolerance assays were also performed to evaluate multiplication under these conditions, frequently associated with pathogenicity. The morphological analysis and partial sequencing of the 18S rDNA gene revealed the presence of Acanthamoeba genotype T4 in 14% of the units sampled. Osmotolerance and thermotolerance tests were positive for more than 80% of the isolates. Up to date, this is the first study that reports the detection, identification, and genotyping of Acanthamoeba isolated from dental units in Costa Rica and even in Latin-America. Further assays to determine the potential pathogenicity of these Acanthamoeba isolates are underway.

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“…Valeriani et al (2018) discuss the challenges of leaving medical or healing thermal waters untreated as far as possible to ensure the mineral composition remains while avoiding the risk of infection. For example, a young boy died in Costa Rica because of a parasite present in hot springs (Abrahams-Sandí et al, 2015). Silva et al (2013) warn that the radon found in thermal mineral spas could also pose a threat to human health.…”

Section: Health Safety and Sustainabilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

An analysis of key issues in spa management: viewpoints from international industry professionals

Smith

Wallace

2019

International Journal of Spa and Wellness

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The aim of this paper is to examine the main issues that are pertinent to spa directors and employees when managing a spa. These include spa leadership; employee motivation; customer service; quality management; sustainability; health and safety; marketing and sales; financial management and funding; spa experience design; lifestyle and future trends. Using a sample of 45 in-depth e-interviews with respondents from 17 countries representing different positions within the spa sector, the authors analyse the priorities and challenges highlighted by the interviewees. This is framed by some of the latest studies in spa management, which provide a background and comparison for the primary research.

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Fatal Meningoencephalitis in Child and Isolation ofNaegleria fowlerifrom Hot Springs in Costa Rica

Cited by 19 publications

References 7 publications

Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis: What Have We Learned in the Last 5 Years?

Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis: What Have We Learned in the Last 5 Years?

Isolation and Molecular Characterization of Acanthamoeba Strains from Dental Units in Costa Rica

An analysis of key issues in spa management: viewpoints from international industry professionals

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