Naegleria fowleri hemorrhagic meningoencephalitis: report of two fatalities in children

J Child Neurol. 2004 Mar;19(3):231-3.

Abstract

Two cases of hemorrhagic meningoencephalitis secondary to Naegleria fowleri infection confirmed by postmortem analysis are described. The first patient is a 5-year-old boy who presented with a severe headache, neck stiffness, and lethargy. His neurologic examination was significant for somnolence and nuchal rigidity. Cerebrospinal fluid studies and structural neuroimaging were consistent with hemorrhagic meningoencephalitis. Another 5-year-old boy presented to a different institution 2 miles away in the same week with similar complaints. Both patients declined rapidly and expired within 48 hours of admission secondary to transtentorial herniation caused by the mass effect of inflammation, edema, and hemorrhage with displacement of the brain stem. Histopathologic and immunochemistry analysis of brain tissue revealed the presence of Naegleria trophozoites in both cases.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Amebiasis / pathology*
  • Animals
  • Brain / pathology
  • Brain Edema / pathology
  • Brain Stem / pathology
  • Central Nervous System Protozoal Infections / pathology*
  • Cerebral Hemorrhage / pathology*
  • Child, Preschool
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Encephalocele / pathology
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Naegleria fowleri*
  • Neurologic Examination