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Diagnostics
Article . 2025 . Peer-reviewed
License: CC BY
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Article . 2025
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Diagnostics
Article . 2025
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Naegleria fowleri: Portrait of a Cerebral Killer

Authors: Nguyen The Nguyen Phung; Huong Thien Pham; Thuc Thanh Tran; Vu Hoang Dinh; Nhut Minh Tran; Nuong Ai Nguyen Tran; Minh Quang Ngoc Ngo; +6 Authors

Naegleria fowleri: Portrait of a Cerebral Killer

Abstract

Background: Primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) caused by Naegleria fowleri is a rare and devastating infection of the central nervous system, often diagnosed late, due to its rapid progression and nonspecific symptoms. Case Presentation: We report one of the youngest documented pediatric Vietnamese cases of PAM in a 10-month-old girl from the Mekong Delta, Vietnam. The diagnosis was confirmed through multiplex real-time PCR (MPL-rPCR), microscopy, and sequencing. Clinical data were gathered retrospectively from medical records, and additional details were provided by the patient’s family. Treatment regimens, disease progression, and diagnostic challenges were reviewed and compared to existing literature. With intensive treatment, the child survived for 14 days, representing one of the longest reported pediatric PAM survival durations. No direct exposure to untreated freshwater or other typical risk factors for Naegleria fowleri infection was identified, underscoring the unique epidemiological nature of this case. MPL-rPCR enabled timely detection of the pathogen and demonstrated its utility in resource-limited settings. Conclusions: This case highlights the critical need for rapid, accessible diagnostic tools such as MPL-rPCR, particularly in resource-constrained environments where traditional diagnostics may not be feasible. It also emphasizes the importance of international collaboration and investment in cost-effective diagnostics and novel therapeutic strategies. The geographical expansion of PAM due to climate change further underscores the urgency of these measures to improve health outcomes in vulnerable populations.

Keywords

Medicine (General), R5-920, primary amebic meningoencephalitis, multiplex real-time PCR, Case Report, pediatric infectious diseases

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    This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
    7
    popularity
    This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
    Top 10%
    influence
    This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
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    impulse
    This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
    Top 10%
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selected citations
These citations are derived from selected sources.
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
7
Top 10%
Average
Top 10%
Green
gold