Journal de colonne vertébrale et de neurochirurgie

Primary Meningoencephalitis in a New Born Due to Naegleria Spp. - Extremely Rare Case Presentation with Review of Literature

Meenakshi N Kumar, Shilpi Gupta, Sachin Bansal and Sumangla Bhan

Primary Meningoencephalitis in a New Born Due to Naegleria Spp. - Extremely Rare Case Presentation with Review of Literature

Primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) caused by free living amoebae Naegleria fowleri is a rare condition. We report a case of primary meningoencephalitis in a 5 day old, male child who presented with respiratory distress and multiple seizures. Patient presented with acute on chronic meningitis and CSF examination revealed xanthochromia with increased CSF protein. Wet mount of CSF showed motile amoebae suggestive of naegleria species. Baby was put on ventilatory support, anticonvulsants were started along with liposomal Amphotericin B to which the child responded. We also reviewed last 10 Indian cases of primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) in which only 4 patients were cured.