Emerging Infectious Diseases (Feb 2011)

Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis Caused by Naegleria fowleri, Karachi, Pakistan

  • Sadia Shakoor,
  • Mohammad Asim Beg,
  • Syed Faisal Mahmood,
  • Rebecca Bandea,
  • Rama Sriram,
  • Fatima Noman,
  • Farheen Ali,
  • Govinda S. Visvesvara,
  • Afia Zafar

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3201/eid1702.100442
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 17, no. 2
pp. 258 – 261

Abstract

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We report 13 cases of Naegleria fowleri primary amebic meningoencephalitis in persons in Karachi, Pakistan, who had no history of aquatic activities. Infection likely occurred through ablution with tap water. An increase in primary amebic meningoencephalitis cases may be attributed to rising temperatures, reduced levels of chlorine in potable water, or deteriorating water distribution systems.

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