Naegleria fowleri is a free-living amoeba found in warm fresh water such as lakes, hot springs and poorly maintained swimming pools, widely known by the nickname the brain-eating amoeba. Infection is extremely rare and occurs only when contaminated water is forced up the nose, allowing the organism to travel along the olfactory nerve into the brain, where it causes an almost always fatal illness called primary amoebic meningoencephalitis; it cannot infect a person through drinking contaminated water or through contact between people.
Facts
Classification
DietDetritivore or Scavenger 1 System (Realm) Identification
Distinguishing AppearanceLimax-like trophozoites measuring 10 to 35 micrometers 1 Scientific Name Conservation Status Connections
Child Taxon Of
In Biome
Source Naegleria fowleri (Wikipedia)
Sources
1. Naegleria fowleri (Wikipedia)
Introduction
Naegleria fowleri
Morphology
Trophozoites range from 10 to 35 micrometers in size
Article text
Naegleria fowleri, a thermophilic and free-living amoeba, is primarily found in warm and hot freshwater environments such as ponds, lakes, rivers, hot springs, and poorly maintained swimming pools.
system statement
Naegleria fowleri, a thermophilic and free-living amoeba, is primarily found in warm and hot freshwater environments such as ponds, lakes, rivers, hot springs, and poorly maintained swimming pools.
Article text: "This free-living microorganism primarily feeds o"
This free-living microorganism primarily feeds on bacteria, but can become pathogenic in humans, causing an extremely rare, sudden, severe, and almost always fatal brain infection known as primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), also known as naegleriasis.
- In Biome: Freshwater, Wikipedia intro: "rimary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), also known as naegleriasis. It is typically found in warm freshwater bodies such as lakes, rivers, hot springs, warm w..."
In Group: Amoebae, Lead
Naegleria fowleri, also known as the brain-eating amoeba or brain-eating amoeboid, is a species of the genus Naegleria.
View the Source2. GBIF (IUCN Red List category): GBIF IUCN Red List category for Naegleria fowleri
GBIF (IUCN Red List category)GBIF taxon key 3210448, category fieldQuote, GBIF taxon key 3210448, category field
"category": "NOT_EVALUATED"
View the Source IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
GBIF Species API
Wikidata: Naegleria
- Wikidata Q131273, class allow-list match (w-wdresolver-0926)
- Child Taxon Of: Eukarya, Wikidata parent-taxon (P171) chain
View the SourceReader Challenges (0)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.
Sign in to dispute this or suggest a correction.