Primary amoebic meningoencephalitis in an infant

Neetu Mittal, Lokesh Mahajan, Zahid Hussain, Parakriti Gupta, Sumeeta KhuranaIndian Journal of Medical Microbiology 2019 37(1):120-122 Primary amoebic meningoencephalitis is rare but fatal disease encountered in immunocompetent individuals. Here, we present a case of a previously healthy 8-month-old female child, who presented with features of meningoencephalitis of 2 days' duration. Rapidly moving trophozoites of amoeba were observed in cerebrospinal fluid, which were confirmed to be Naegleria fowleri on polymerase chain reaction. Broad-spectrum antimicrobial therapy with ceftriaxone, vancomycin, amphotericin B and acyclovir was initiated. However, the patient deteriorated and left the hospital against medical advice. The isolation of N. fowleri in this case demands for increased awareness for prompt diagnosis and management in view of its high mortality.
Source: Indian Journal of Medical Microbiology - Category: Microbiology Authors: Source Type: research