Naegleria fowleri Water Test

What is it?

Naegleria fowleri is an amoeba colloquially referred to as a "brain-eating amoeba" due to the often fatal disease it causes, primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), in which brain tissue is destroyed. N. fowleri is naturally present in warm freshwater bodies, in the soil at the bottom of these water bodies, and, more rarely, in contaminanted tap and recreational waters. A person may contract PAM when N. fowleri gets up their nose, typically due to swimming in contaminated water bodies and less frequently due to nasal rinsing using contaminated water. Infection by N. fowleri is very rare but usually fatal.

Where does it come from?

N. fowleri is naturally present in warm to hot freshwater environments, including rivers, lakes and hotsprings, and in the sediment at the bottom of these water bodies. It is more rarely found in contaminated tap water and poorly maintained recreational venues (e.g., swimming pools, splash pads, etc).

How does it affect me?

N. fowleri can cause a severe brain infection called primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) that is typically fatal. Early symptoms of PAM include headache, fever, nausea and vomiting, progressing quickly to stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, hallucinations, seizures, and can result in death within 5 days of symptom onset. Infections due to N. fowleri are extremely rare and typically impact young boys (perhaps due to their participation in activities that may result in exposure to the amoeba).