Naegleria fowleri is a microscopic amoeba which is a single-celled living organism. It can cause a rare and devastating infection of the brain called primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM).

The amoeba is commonly found in warm freshwater such as lakes, rivers, ponds and canals.

Infections can happen when contaminated water enters the body through the nose. Once the amoeba enters the nose, it travels to the brain where it causes PAM (which destroys brain tissue) and is usually fatal.

So how does the body's immune system react to the parasite and what research is being done on the immune response?

Joining me today to discuss this is Ashley Moseman, PhD. Dr. Moseman is an immunologist at Duke University and his lab is studying the host immune response to Naegleria fowleri.