The Naegleria Fowleri Amoeba

Neisseria meningitidis, also known as meningococcus, is a human pathogen that causes severe infections in the menings that surround the brain and spinal cord. There is a 50% fatality rate if the infections are not treated on time. (1)

Dirofilaria immitis (D. immitis) is a nematode parasite, which causes heartworm or cardiopulmonary disease, in dogs, and is transmitted by culicide mosquitoes. This type of parasitism could be fatal for dog’s population so, they can die if this illness is not treated appropiately. In addition, the presence of D. immitis in canine poulations implies certain risk to produce zoonotic infections, so that, humans could be infected too (human pulmonary dirofilariosis). Cardiopulmonary dirofilariosis has got a cosmopolite distribution, and it is an endemic disease in lots of countries all over the world. Furthermore, it has been spread from these endemic regions durig the last years, so it has appeared in some places where there was not cases reported

The first step toward identifying this unknown organism was to perform a Gram Stain to differentiate between gram positive and gram negative bacteria. This is an important step because it directs what the next tests will be. My Gram Stain on sample #12 showed that the bacteria was gram negative, however, after receiving the results of the OF glucose, H2S, Citrate, Urease and Motility tests, it was apparent that my Gram Stain was contaminated. I then performed a catalase test which came back negative, so I ordered a Bacitracin disc, Optochin disc and a CAMP test which had to be incubated overnight. After receipt of those test results,

The purpose of this lab was to identify an unknown microorganism using lab techniques. The importance of identifying microorganisms is essential to the survival of humans, expansion of modern day medicine and improvement of quality of life. In 1884, Hans Christian Gram designed a differential staining technique to identify bacteria that would change the future of microbiology. He give rise to a staining process, known as the Gram stain to differentiate microorganisms into two groups between positive and negative gram staining microorganisms. The Gram stain is essential in a lab technique as it distinguishes the cells based on the physical properties of the individual cell walls, and is almost always the first test preformed to differentiate a microorganism. The identification of weather a microorganism is gram positive or negative can revel the bacteria’s virulence, cell wall structure, resistance to antibiotics, resistance to physical disruptions and so much more. In order to identify the unknown provided, unknown #27, the Gram stain was the first test preformed. After discovering that the unknown bacterium was indefinitely a gram positive microorganism, the vast possibilities were narrowed down. However, In order to more definitively identify the unknown, the next step was to preform biochemical tests. A biochemical test identifies metabolic

Prokaryotes are ubiquitous, successfully adapting to diverse environments as well as developing symbiotic relationships with host organisms (Lengeler, Drews, & Schlegel, 1999). Prokaryotes may have both autotrophic and heterotrophic characteristics. A cyanobacteria is photosynthetic, commonly called blue-green algae, and may produce toxins (Crayton, 1993). Bacteria are most commonly associated in the general

The objective of this experiment is to identify the organisms of two unknown bacterial cultures. Students must identify the species of the unknown bacteria by utilizing the techniques and information learned in previous laboratory exercises. These techniques include streaking for isolation, Gram staining, and specific biochemical tests. Students are given a map known as a dichotomous key, a guide in determining the identity of their unknown sample.

Once within the body, naegleria fowleri attack the human nervous system and brain. This process is called ‘Primary amoebic meningoencephalitis’ and although such infections are rare, contraction almost always guarantees death. The case fatality rate is over 95%. Once the disease has been contracted, the subject will most likely be dead within five days. The longest running bout of this infection ever recorded was a mere twenty five days, with the shortest being sixteen hours.

Bacterial Meningitis affects the nervous system by causing inflammation of a trio of membranes known as the Meninges that are situated around the brain and spinal cord. It 's a disease that is slowly but surely being defeated worldwide with mortality rates falling from 464,000 deaths in 1990 to 303,000 in 2013[3]. Common symptoms throughout the period of an infection include; headaches, vomiting, fever, neck stiffness and an altered mental state. The severity of symptoms can depend on the species of bacteria that caused the infection. Due to recent medical advancements the rates of mortality have fallen considerably in the developed world, however meningitis is still prevalent in less economically developed countries. In this document I will be describing the various inner workings of the disease, but more specifically, it 's pathogenesis, epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment and preventative methods, furthermore I shall also be focusing more on the prevalence of the disease in the UK, as opposed to other locations. [1]

The girl was 16 years old and got it from swimming in a warm lake in Florida. After getting the amoeba, she died six days later. I was immediately intrigued by this amoeba. The nick name for Neagleria fowleri is the Brain-eating amoeba, because once it enters the brain through an individual’s nose, it causes PAM and causes the person to go brain dead in 4-10 days. The amoeba thrives off warmth, so that means they are found in warm water. These bodies of water include: lakes, ponds and rivers, hot springs or other geothermal water, swimming pools that are not properly cleaned, thermally polluted waters; Tap water, and also moist soil and mud puddles. N.fowleri targets healthy individuals, usually kids from age 2-18. The brain is a perfect source of nutrition’s for an amoeba if the person is

The CDC has only seen thirty-two cases of Naegleria Fowleri, also known as the brain eating amoeba, in the United States within the past ten years. Twenty-nine of these cases were fatal. The effects of this disease are apparent on the human body, and the survival ratings are notably low. One of the reasons it is so difficult to find a cure is the complex life cycle of the amoeba. Doctors are hoping to find a treatment for the amoeba and raise awareness to the general populace. (healthmap.org) 100

In this investigation, the objective was to preform various test which were used to help identify an unknown bacterium. The tests done were a combination of selective and deferential media, plus a number of metabolism tests. The result of each test revealed a particular characteristic of the unknown bacterium, and using the combined results observed of these test the unknown bacterium was identified.

N. meningitides specifically is carried in nasal mucosa and secretions and concentrates in the nasopharynx of those it will infect (Smeltzer, Bare, Hinkle, & Cheever, 2010). Once the offending bacteria reach the central nervous system (CNS), it replicates and undergoes lysis, which releases endotoxins (Porth & Matfin, 2009). These cell

Both Retortamonadida and Diplomonadida lack mitochondria as well as a Golgi apparatus, which are also known as dictyosomes. Retortamonadida and Diplomonadida also possess a recurrent flagella within a groove and can occupy low oxygen environments. Both orders of Retortamonadida and Diplomonadida are commonly found within humans.

The incubation period for Naegleria Fowleri is two to fifteen days according to Mayo Clinic . The signs are pyrexia, edema, and seizures. The symptoms are change in smell or taste, torticollis, vertigo, photophobia, and malaise. These signs and symptoms can progress rapidly and lead to death within a week.

Just this Sunday, fourteen-year-old Michael John Riley Jr. passed away from a brain-eating amoeba. Riley came into contact with the amoeba while swimming in Sam Houston State Park, and within days, he began having severe headaches. The headaches eventually worsened, and he was left with no brain function until his death on August 30. The amoeba Michael encountered was Naegleria fowleri, a single-celled organism that causes the brain infection primary amebic meningoencephalitis or PAM. The amoeba is usually found in warm, fresh water sources such as lakes, rivers and ponds, and while it is very rare (only 133 cases have been reported in the last 53 years) it often tends to be very fatal (only 3 people have survived the 133 cases). The CDC