Sketchy Micro: Naegleria Fowleri

Question 1

Naegleria fowleri is associated with ______________.

Answer 1

swimming in fresh water (Naegleria = Niagara; Fowleri = Falls)

Note: test questions might not tell you a person went swimming. They might be more obscure and mention water sports (like the guy windsurfing).

Question 2

How do Naegleria fowleri enter the body?

Answer 2

Via the cribriform plate (like the children riding over the waterfall in cribs)

Question 3

What illness is caused by N. fowleri?

Answer 3

Meningoencephalitis (like the swimmer wearing a red turban and neck brace)

Note: this is rapidly fatal (like the other swimmer dead from hitting his head on the rock).

Question 4

Other than water sports, Naegleria has been associated with ______________.

Answer 4

contact lens solution and Netty pots (like the bottles of water spilled by the swimmers)

Question 5

How can you diagnose Naegleria meningoencephalitis?

Answer 5

Spinal tap with amoeba visible in the CSF (like the champagne bottle held by the older woman –clean, perfect taps are called champagne taps because they’re so clear)

Question 6

What treatment is given for Naegleria?

Answer 6

Amphotericin (represented by the frogs hopping gon the downed swimmer)