NAEGLERIA

 Hello everyone! How are you all? I hope that you all are fine. Okay... so the topic for today is Naegleria. So, without losing a moment, let's get started:-

GENERAL INTRODUCTION:-

Naegleria is a free-living amoebae protist genus consisting of 47 described species often found in warm aquatic environments as well as soil habitats worldwide. It has three life cycle forms: the amoeboid stage, the cyst stage, and the flagellated stage, and has been routinely studied for its ease in change from amoeboid to flagellated stages. The Naegleria genera became famous when Naegleria fowleri, a human pathogenic strain and the causative agent of primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), was discovered in 1965. Most species in the genus, however, are nonpathogenic.

TYPES OF NAEGLERIA:-

47 species of Naegleria have been described. These include:

• Naegleria americana
• Naegleria andersoni
• Naegleria angularis
• Naegleria antarctica
• Naegleria arctica
• Naegleria australiensis
• Naegleria byersi
• Naegleria canariensis
• Naegleria carteri
• Naegleria chilensis
• Naegleria clarki
• Naegleria dobsoni
• Naegleria dunnebackei
• Naegleria endoi
• Naegleria fowleri
• Naegleria fultoni
• Naegleria galeacystis
• Naegleria gallica
• Naegleria gruberi
• Naegleria indonesiensis
• Naegleria italica
• Naegleria jadini
• Naegleria jamiesoni
• Naegleria johanseni
• Naegleria laresi
• Naegleria lovaniensis
• Naegleria martinezi
• Naegleria mexicana
• Naegleria minor
• Naegleria morganensis
• Naegleria neoantarctica
• Naegleria neochilensis
• Naegleria neodobsoni
• Naegleria neopolaris
• Naegleria niuginensis
• Naegleria pagei
• Naegleria paradobsoni
• Naegleria peruana
• Naegleria philippinensis
• Naegleria polaris
• Naegleria pringsheimi
• Naegleria pussardi
• Naegleria robinsoni
• Naegleria schusteri
• Naegleria spitzbergeniensis
• Naegleria sturti
• Naegleria tenerifensis

Of all of these types of Naegleria, the Naegleria Fowleri is the most common type and is the only one that affects humans. 

CAUSES AND PREVALENCE:-

Naegleria infection is caused by a 'brain-eating amoeba' which is commonly found in freshwater lakes, rivers, or hot springs. You can also become infected by it whilst swimming in pools and engaging in other freshwater sports. Naegleria Fowleri is a thermophilic amoeba. It is not caused when u drink contaminated water. Naegleria enters your brain through your nose. So, when u swim or get in face contact with water, you are exposed to Naegleria. While infections with Naegleria fowleri are rare, they occur mainly during the summer months of July, August, and September. It grows best at higher temperatures up to 115°F (46°C) and can survive for short periods at higher temperatures. One more thing. It is NOT contagious.

SYMPTOMS:-

The initial symptoms may include headache, fever, nausea, or vomiting. Later symptoms can include stiff neck, confusion, lack of attention to people and surroundings, loss of balance, seizures, and hallucinations.

TREATMENT:-

Few people survive naegleria infection, even with treatment. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for survival. 

PREVENTIONS:-

Following measures may reduce your risk of naegleria infection:

• Don't swim in or jump into warm freshwater lakes and rivers.
• Hold your nose shut or use nose clips when jumping or diving into warm bodies of freshwater.
• Avoid disturbing the sediment while swimming in shallow, warm freshwaters.

Well, readers, that was it. Hope you liked it and it gave you enough information about Naegleria. If still any queries, feel free to ask in the comments, and yes! suggestions will be appreciated. Take care and keep you and your family safe from Naegleria. I will write again soon. Till then, bubyeeee❤❤❤