A 15-year-old male was diving in a lake when he inhaled some of the stagnate water.Five days later he was admitted to the hospital,comatose,and in critical condition.A cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)specimen was taken,and several motile amoebae were observed.The patient would most likely be diagnosed with which of the following conditions?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Naegleria fowleri trophozoites can be found in water or moist soil.The amoebae may enter the nasal cavity by the inhalation or aspiration of water,dust,or aerosols containing the trophozoites or cysts.N.fowleri is incapable of survival in clean,chlorinated water.After inhalation or aspiration,the organisms then penetrate the nasal mucosa,probably through phagocytosis of the olfactory epithelium cells,and migrate via the olfactory nerves to the brain,causing a primary amebic meningoencephalitis.

A 15-Year-Old Male Was Diving in a Lake When He