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. 2018 Jan;24(1):162-164.
doi: 10.3201/eid2401.170545.

Estimation of Undiagnosed Naegleria fowleri Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis, United States1

Almea Matanock, Jason M Mehal, Lindy Liu, Diana M Blau, Jennifer R Cope

Estimation of Undiagnosed Naegleria fowleri Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis, United States1

Almea Matanock et al. Emerg Infect Dis. 2018 Jan.

Abstract

Primary amebic meningoencephalitis is an acute, rare, typically fatal disease. We used epidemiologic risk factors and multiple cause-of-death mortality data to estimate the number of deaths that fit the typical pattern for primary amebic meningoencephalitis; we estimated an annual average of 16 deaths (8 male, 8 female) in the United States.

Keywords: Naegleria fowleri; PAM; United States; amebic meningitis; international classification of diseases; neuroinfections; parasites; primary ameba; primary amebic meningoencephalitis; waterborne infections.

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