Characterization of the Amebae Isolated From the First Confirmed Case of Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis in Oklahoma
Abstract
Naegleria fowleri causes a fatal brain disease, primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM). This research characterizes the infectious agent, designated HBT1-1998, of a victim of PAM as N. fowleri. Tests performed included concanavalin A (Con A) agglutination, enflagellation, growth studies, ameba and cyst measurement, drug studies with azithromycin and amphotericin B, and indirect immunofluorescence (IIF). In vivo studies included examination of brain tissue from infected mice, calculated LD50, percent mortality, and mean time to death. HBT1-1998 morphology, including positive enflagellation, and growth conditions were typical of N. fowleri. Con A did not cause agglutination. Drug study results for HBT1-1998 and control N. fowleri were compatible. IIF confirmed the amebae as N. fowleri. In vivo studies showed an LD50 of 132 amebae/mouse, percent mortality of 100% with a dose of 1 x 10 5 amebae/mouse, and a mean time to death of 6 days. These data support the identification of HBT1-1998 as Naegleria fowleri.
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- OSU Theses [15752]