Nervous System- Infection & Inflammation I
Question No. 2. The Answer is: (C) Naegleria fowleri.
Discussion: The arrow is pointing to a trophozoite of Naegleria fowleri. The trophozoite are 10-30 mm in diameter. The nuclei have a distinct membrane, are pale and contain a distinct nucleolus. The cytoplasm is often vacuolated due to phagocytosis. The trophozoites are spherical in rest state and may assume a slug-like state during motion. The trophozoites are highly motile. Viable organisms may be retrieved from the autopsy brain and the motility be visualized under the microscope. Neither cyst or flagellates are seen in the brain presumbly because the brain is a favorable environment for these organisms. Histologically, there are wide spread suppurative inflammation lesion is typically suppurative and the trophozoites may be difficult to be found and the microorganisms are difficult to be found. Examination of the least inflammed perivascular spaces may be fruitful.
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