Genetic Detection of Amoebic Meningoencephalitis Causing by Naegleria Fowleri in Iraq: A Case Report

Noor Nihad  Baqer; Ahmed Salih  Mohammed; Bassad  A.AL-Aboody; Abdullah Musaied  Ismail

doi:10.18502/ijpa.v18i3.13765

Noor Nihad Baqer Water and Environment Directorate, Ministry of Science and Technology, Baghdad, Iraq
Ahmed Salih Mohammed AL-Salam Hospital, Ministry of Health, Mosul, Iraq
Bassad A.AL-Aboody Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Thi-Qar, Nasiriyah, Iraq
Abdullah Musaied Ismail Public Health Laboratory, Ministry of Health, Mosul, Iraq

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ijpa.v18i3.13765

Keywords: Naegleria fowleri; Amoebic meningoencephalitis; Iraq

Abstract

We diagnosed a case report of amoebic meningoencephalitis by Naegleria fowleri. This case represented the first recording in Iraq where it was not recording previously. This case was diagnosed after the death of an 18-year-old girl patient who lived in a rural area of Mosul in Iraq. Genetics detection of N. fowleri showed PCR product was 183bp for 18S rRNA gene. It was registered as the first recording of Iraqi isolate N. fowleri in GenBank with accession number OP380864.1. It is necessary to examine microscopically the cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) to observe the amoeba stages and exclude the bacterial causative. Rapid diagnosis may help in the treatment of amoebic meningoencephalitis. In addition, genetic identification can diagnose amoeba. Avoiding swimming or using freshwater contributes to prevent amoebic meningoencephalitis infection.