Understanding Naegleria fowleri

摘要

Naegleria fowleri is warm water environmental pathogen which, in contact with the internal nasal passage, can cause a rare but fatal infection called Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM). While Australia was one of the first countries to investigate this pathogen in the context of potable water risks and mitigation, there is a mixed level of understanding and awareness in the current industry. With a climate of increasing temperature trends, this pathogen has the potential to become more prevalent within Australia and internationally. With recent cases in America being the first to be attributed to potable water supplies, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is currently assessing the potential for climate-related changes to expand the geographical range of the organism. This paper presents information on the pathogen, its infection pathway and resulting disease, as well as the Australian historical study that provided the basis of the current potable water advice within the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG) and results of more recent disinfection studies. The key objective of this paper is to provide a comprehensive review of the available information, so as to provide a greater understanding of the pathogen, its risks, and mitigation measures regarding potable water management.