Naegleriasis

Naegleriasis, also known as primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), amebic encephalitis, and naegleria infection, is an infection of the brain by the free-living protist Naegleria fowleri, also known as the "brain-eating amoeba". The term "brain-eating amoeba" has also been applied to Balamuthia mandrillaris, causing some confusion between the two, however Balamuthia mandrillaris is unrelated to Naegleria fowleri, and causes a different disease called granulomatous amoebic encephalitis, and unlike Naegleriasis, which is usually seen in people with normal immune function, granulomatous amoebic encephalitis is usually seen in people with poor immune function such as those with HIV/AIDS or leukemia.