OrganismNaegleria fowleri, the brain-eating amoeba, exists throughout the world; N fowleri reservoirs include sediments from lakes, rivers, geothermal water, soil, and poorly maintained pools. These microbes can live at temperatures up to 45 degrees Celsius and do not require a host cell to survive. Free-living amoeba is the etiological source of primary amoebic meningeocephalitis (PAM), an acute and fatal disease of the central nervous system with mortality rates greater than 99%. The onset of the disease is rapid and death generally occurs within 7-14 days. Treatment of PAM represents a challenge due to the rapid progression of the disease and limited awareness among clinicians. According to the CDC, there are more than 30 species of Naegleria, however, N fowleri is exclusively the species recognized as pathogenic to humans. When conditions are favorable, this free-living amoeba can survive outside the host cell. Characteristics and Morphology Amoebae of the genus Naegleria are identified in part by their ability to create a temporary flagellated phase when exposed to nutritional scarcity. Electron microscopic examination confirms that N fowleri is a typical eukaryotic protist (Patterson et al., 1981). N fowleri has three phases in its cycle. In the amoeboid trophozoite stage they are infectious and measure 10-35 µm in length. The trophozoite transforms into a non-feeding flagellate when food sources are limited. Flagellates are motile and measure 10-20 µm in length. The amoeba or flagellum will form a cyst, the dormant stage, if the environment is too cold and not conducive to continued feeding and growth. When the organism is in the cyst stage, it has a single-layered wall and a single nucleus. The cyst measures 7-1...half of the paper...there are currently no extensive efforts in the prevention of N fowleri due to the low number of reported cases. However, due to the high mortality rate among patients diagnosed with PAM, there is a determination to research to develop new diagnostic tools and therapeutic therapies. Prevention It is essential that the public is informed about PAM disease. Most cases involve children and adolescents who have participated in recreational water activities. Although extremely rare, people who use sinus rinses have been diagnosed with PAM N fowleri. People who practice nasal rinsing are advised to use distilled water. Unique fact: Humans cannot contract amoeba from another person or by drinking contaminated water. The amoeba enters your body through the nose, through contaminated water and travels to the brain via nerves that transmit smell.