A patient is brought to the emergency room in a comatose state. The family reports he had complained of nausea and a bad headache in the past couple of days. They also report they had engaged in their normal summer activities: picnicking, fishing and swimming at the lake near their home. His fever is high, and while in the ER, he has a seizure. Which of the following is likely to be responsible for his symptoms?
A) Entamoeba histolytica
B) Giardia intestinalis
C) Gonyaulax
D) Naegleria fowleri
E) Toxoplasma gondii

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The patient's symptoms are consistent with an infection caused by Naegleria fowleri, a type of amoeba commonly found in warm freshwater sources such as lakes and rivers. Symptoms include fever, headache, nausea, and seizures, as well as a rapid onset of coma and death. The other choices are either not associated with these symptoms or have different modes of transmission.

A Patient Is Brought to the Emergency Room in a Comatose