Advancing the understanding of Naegleria fowleri: Global epidemiology, phylogenetic analysis, and strategies to combat a deadly pathogen
Naegleria fowleri is a rare but deadly pathogen that has emerged as an important global public health concern. The pathogen induces primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), a rapidly progressive and almost always fatal life-threatening brain infection. The devastating impact of N. fowleri and the...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Journal of Infection and Public Health |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1876034125000395 |
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| author | Awadh Alanazi Sonia Younas Hasan Ejaz Muharib Alruwaili Yasir Alruwaili Bi Bi Zainab Mazhari Muhammad Atif Kashaf Junaid |
| author_facet | Awadh Alanazi Sonia Younas Hasan Ejaz Muharib Alruwaili Yasir Alruwaili Bi Bi Zainab Mazhari Muhammad Atif Kashaf Junaid |
| author_sort | Awadh Alanazi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Naegleria fowleri is a rare but deadly pathogen that has emerged as an important global public health concern. The pathogen induces primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), a rapidly progressive and almost always fatal life-threatening brain infection. The devastating impact of N. fowleri and the high mortality rate underscores a deeper understanding and the development of innovative strategies to tackle this issue. Despite various studies that have been conducted on N. fowleri, a comprehensive review that integrates recent findings and addresses critical gaps in understanding remains lacking. This review provides a detailed overview of N. fowleri epidemiology, transmission dynamics, phylogenetic diversity, state-of-the-art diagnostic techniques, therapeutic approaches, and preventive measures. We identified 488 PAM cases globally, reported since 1962, with the highest numbers in the US, Pakistan, and Australia. A phylogenetic analysis of 41 N. fowleri ITS-1, 5.8S, ITS-2 region-based sequences showed genotypic diversity, with genotypes II and III being the most prevalent in Asia, North America, and Europe. Effective approaches to preventing N. fowleri transmission include applying free chlorine to water in storage tanks, taking precautions while swimming, and performing ablution with sterilized water (e.g., boiled or distilled) while avoiding deep inhalation of water, especially in regions with high water contamination. This review highlights the global impact of N. fowleri, future surveillance strategies, prompt diagnosis, potential therapeutic options, and vaccine development to prevent PAM outbreaks. It highlights the importance of joint government and public health efforts to combat this deadly pathogen. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-b26c38ad9fd3481e9ea0a5234bd6ebe2 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1876-0341 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Infection and Public Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-b26c38ad9fd3481e9ea0a5234bd6ebe22025-02-07T04:47:24ZengElsevierJournal of Infection and Public Health1876-03412025-04-01184102690Advancing the understanding of Naegleria fowleri: Global epidemiology, phylogenetic analysis, and strategies to combat a deadly pathogenAwadh Alanazi0Sonia Younas1Hasan Ejaz2Muharib Alruwaili3Yasir Alruwaili4Bi Bi Zainab Mazhari5Muhammad Atif6Kashaf Junaid7Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Jouf University, Sakaka, Saudi Arabia; Correspondence to: Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Jouf University, King Khalid Road, Sakaka, Al Jouf PO Box 2014, Saudi Arabia.HKU-Pasteur Research Pole, School of Public Health, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; Centre for Immunology and Infection (C2i), Hong Kong Science and Technology Park, Hong KongDepartment of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Jouf University, Sakaka, Saudi Arabia; Correspondence to: Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Jouf University, King Khalid Road, Sakaka, Al Jouf PO Box 2014, Saudi Arabia.Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Jouf University, Sakaka, Saudi ArabiaDepartment of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Jouf University, Sakaka, Saudi Arabia; Sustainable Development Research and Innovation Center, Deanship of Graduate Studies and Scientific Research, Jouf University, Sakaka, Saudi ArabiaDepartment of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Jouf University, Qurayyat, Saudi ArabiaDepartment of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Jouf University, Sakaka, Saudi ArabiaSchool of Biological and Behavioural Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, UKNaegleria fowleri is a rare but deadly pathogen that has emerged as an important global public health concern. The pathogen induces primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), a rapidly progressive and almost always fatal life-threatening brain infection. The devastating impact of N. fowleri and the high mortality rate underscores a deeper understanding and the development of innovative strategies to tackle this issue. Despite various studies that have been conducted on N. fowleri, a comprehensive review that integrates recent findings and addresses critical gaps in understanding remains lacking. This review provides a detailed overview of N. fowleri epidemiology, transmission dynamics, phylogenetic diversity, state-of-the-art diagnostic techniques, therapeutic approaches, and preventive measures. We identified 488 PAM cases globally, reported since 1962, with the highest numbers in the US, Pakistan, and Australia. A phylogenetic analysis of 41 N. fowleri ITS-1, 5.8S, ITS-2 region-based sequences showed genotypic diversity, with genotypes II and III being the most prevalent in Asia, North America, and Europe. Effective approaches to preventing N. fowleri transmission include applying free chlorine to water in storage tanks, taking precautions while swimming, and performing ablution with sterilized water (e.g., boiled or distilled) while avoiding deep inhalation of water, especially in regions with high water contamination. This review highlights the global impact of N. fowleri, future surveillance strategies, prompt diagnosis, potential therapeutic options, and vaccine development to prevent PAM outbreaks. It highlights the importance of joint government and public health efforts to combat this deadly pathogen.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1876034125000395Free-living amoebaPrimary amoebic meningoencephalitisN. fowleri phylogeneticsSafe nasal irrigationPAM treatment |
| spellingShingle | Awadh Alanazi Sonia Younas Hasan Ejaz Muharib Alruwaili Yasir Alruwaili Bi Bi Zainab Mazhari Muhammad Atif Kashaf Junaid Advancing the understanding of Naegleria fowleri: Global epidemiology, phylogenetic analysis, and strategies to combat a deadly pathogen Journal of Infection and Public Health Free-living amoeba Primary amoebic meningoencephalitis N. fowleri phylogenetics Safe nasal irrigation PAM treatment |
| title | Advancing the understanding of Naegleria fowleri: Global epidemiology, phylogenetic analysis, and strategies to combat a deadly pathogen |
| title_full | Advancing the understanding of Naegleria fowleri: Global epidemiology, phylogenetic analysis, and strategies to combat a deadly pathogen |
| title_fullStr | Advancing the understanding of Naegleria fowleri: Global epidemiology, phylogenetic analysis, and strategies to combat a deadly pathogen |
| title_full_unstemmed | Advancing the understanding of Naegleria fowleri: Global epidemiology, phylogenetic analysis, and strategies to combat a deadly pathogen |
| title_short | Advancing the understanding of Naegleria fowleri: Global epidemiology, phylogenetic analysis, and strategies to combat a deadly pathogen |
| title_sort | advancing the understanding of naegleria fowleri global epidemiology phylogenetic analysis and strategies to combat a deadly pathogen |
| topic | Free-living amoeba Primary amoebic meningoencephalitis N. fowleri phylogenetics Safe nasal irrigation PAM treatment |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1876034125000395 |
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