Naegleria fowleri is a protozoan parasite , more specifically an amoeba. This lethal parasite is commonly referred to as the “brain eating amoeba” in mainstream media.

It is generally considered a rare cause of human infections in the US with a handful of cases (2-3) reported annually on average, almost universally fatal.

However, researchers in a new study estimate that the number of N. fowleri deaths in the US may be higher than the confirmed cases reported.

Lead author of the research letter published in the CDC journal, Emerging Infectious Diseases and infectious disease doctor in the CDC’s Waterborne Disease Prevention Branch, Dr Jennifer Cope joined me to discuss the study and some other topics concerning N. fowleri and primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM).