Naegleria fowleri

Point of Cyst Trophozoites Flagellated

Differentiation
Size 7-10 µm in diameter 10-35 µm long 10-16 µm in length) when
but when rounded are usually stimulated by adverse
10 to 15 μm in diameter environmental changes such
as a reduced food source.
Nucleus Single nucleus and Single nucleus Single nucleus
spherical chromatid
bodies
Appearance - It has a smooth, - granular appearance - pear-shaped
single-layered wall - have a "limax," or
- Round sluglike, shape
- Wall is smooth and - has a big chromosome
double with outer (called a karyosome)
wall perforated by 3 and is surrounded by a
to 8 pores (Ostioles) halo
Movement --- - Able to move with the - Has two flagellum
help of lobopodia,(a
type of pseudopodia
which are a common
mode of protistan
motility)
Location Not seen in brain tissue CSF and Tissue Occasionally found in CSF
damage
Reproduction --- Promitosis/ Binary Fission ---
Infectivity Not Infective Infective stage Not infective
Picture

Nucleus

Pseudopodia
Flagella

References:
Belizario, V. & de Leon, W. (2013) Medical Parasitology in the Philippines. University of the Philippines Press,
Quezon City pp. 38 – 39
Okuda, D., & Coons, S. (2003). Naegleria fowleri meningoencephalitis. Neurology, 61(1), E1-E1. doi:
10.1212/01.wnl.0000058759.01260.d8
Domains and Kingdoms. (2020). Retrieved 3 May 2020, from
http://domainsandkingdoms.yolasite.com/protista.php
Pathogen & Environment | Naegleria fowleri | CDC. (2020). Retrieved 3 May 2020, from
https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/naegleria/pathogen.html
Life Cycle
In life cycle of N. fowleri it has 3 stages the cyst, trophozoites and flagellated. Trophozoite undergo a
replication called promitosis (a process where nuclear membrane remains intact.) They are found in freshwater,
soil, thermal discharges of power plants, heated swimming pools, hydrotherapy and medicinal pools, aquariums
and sewage. It can infect humans or animals by penetrating the nasal mucosa and migrates to the brain through
the olfactory nerves causing primary amebic meningoencephalitis. When stimulated by adverse environmental
changes such as reduced food the trophozoites can turn into temporary flagellated stage and revert back when
favorable conditions occur. N. fowleri trophozoites can be found in CSF and tissue.

Reference: Pathogen & Environment | Naegleria fowleri | CDC. (2020). Retrieved 3 May 2020, from
https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/naegleria/pathogen.html