Naegleria Fowleri Diagnosed with Hospital Autopsy in a Toddler: A Case Study

Casestudy Naegleria fowleri, an amoeba, is typically found in warm freshwater lakes, ponds, rivers and hot springs. It is responsible for causing the incredibly rare and lethal central nervous system infection called Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM). In the United States, 145 confirmed cases have been documented since 1962. Most cases are associated with freshwater lakes, ponds and reservoirs, while only a handful have been linked to artificial recreational venues such as pools, interactive water play-grounds, and spas. In addition to highlighting a rare amoebic disease, this case illustrates the continued importance of hospital autopsies especially given recent ruling to eliminate the autopsy requirement by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Results An otherwise healthy toddler had upper respiratory symptoms and otitis media days after returning from an artificial recreational water venue, becoming increasingly lethargic and febrile over the next few days. At the hospital, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) abnormalities were suggestive but not consistent with bacterial meningitis. A meningoencephalitis panel, a Computed Tomograph (CT) scan of the head, and chest-x-ray were negative for abnormalities. Appropriate antimicrobial therapy was initiated. Three days after hospital admission, his symptoms worsened including development of dysconjugate gaze and signs of cerebellitis. He became increasingly hemodynamically unstable, suffered an arrest, and passed away days later. Conclusion Since this death did not fall under the state’s statutes mandating medicolegal autopsy, a hospital- requested autopsy was performed. Cerebral edema and a light gray to light green exudate was along the inferior and lateral left temporal lobe, brain stem, and cerebellum. An exuberant lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate with scattered polymorphonuclear leukocytes expanded the meninges. Small histiocyte-like cells with distinct eccentric nuclei and granular, vacuolated cytoplasm, confirmed by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to be Naegleria fowleri, were best visualized in the Virchow-Robin spaces and deeper parenchyma.