Naegleria fowleri is a Percolozoan flagellate protist known as the "brain-eating amoeba". While fatal to humans, this microbe doesn't have a sinister motive. In fact, as Dr. Bromagen explains, infecting humans has no benefit to the amoeba and will be fatal to it as well as the infected human. In this episode we discuss the ecology, natural history, and pathogenicity of Naegleria fowleri and then things get existential...

Dr. Seth Bromagen, PhD is a parasitologist and assistant professor of zoology at Kentucky Wesleyan College. To follow his work, find him on Twitter: @seth_bromagen or check out his website: www.bromagenparasitology.com. He also has a fascinating background which can be read here.

For further reading on preventing Naegleria fowleri infections and why knowledge and education is key to preventing future infections, visit www.amoeba-season.com.

For more info on microbes and to follow updates of this podcast, find @couch_microscopy on Instagram, @CouchMicroscopy on Twitter, or visit www.couchmicroscopy.com/store for merch!

Music is "Introducing Cosmic Space" by Elf Power and "Vorticella Dreams" by L. Felipe Benites.

While some of the content on this podcast may be relevant to human or veterinary medicine, this information is not medical advice. The views and opinions expressed on this program are those of the host and guests and do not reflect the views of any institution.