Naegleria fowleri: The Brain-Eating Amoeba Invading Through Water
- Jul 12
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 30
Naegleria fowleri is a free-living microscopic amoeba found in warm freshwater such as lakes, hot springs, and poorly maintained swimming pools. It is commonly known as the "brain-eating amoeba" due to its ability to cause a rare but often fatal brain infection called Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM).
Cause of Infection
Infection occurs when contaminated water enters the body through the nose, typically during swimming, diving, or water sports. From the nasal passages, Naegleria fowleri travels along the olfactory nerve to the brain, where it begins to destroy brain tissue.
