Free-Living Amoeba as Agents of Infection

Authors: Garland E. Pendergraph, PhD, JD, MLS(ASCP)SM, HCLD/CC(ABB) and Tamika E. Gosha, MA, MT(AAB)
Reviewers: Laurie Bjerklie, MA, MLS(ASCP)CM and Julie Ann West, PhD, MLS(ASCP)CMSMCM
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Continuing Education Credits

P.A.C.E.® Contact Hours: 1 hour(s)

Florida Board of Clinical Laboratory Science CE Credit Hours

Florida Board of Clinical Laboratory Science CE - General (Microbiology/Mycology/Parasitology): 1 hour(s)

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Most protozoa are free-living and have little or no impact on human health. They are found throughout the environment, particularly in soil and water. However, four free-living amoebas have been associated with serious human infections. This course seeks to identify these amoebas, discuss their life cycles, methods of infection, and symptoms, and determine available preventive measures.

Objectives

  • Identify the primary free-living amoeba that infect humans and contrast their life cycles.
  • Recognize the method of infection and symptoms that occur for each of the free-living amoeba.
  • Describe diagnostic methods for each of the free-living amoeba.
  • Determine preventive measures for each of the free-living amoeba.

Course Outline

  • Introduction
    • Introduction
  • Naegleria fowleri
    • Introduction: Naegleria fowleri
    • Life Cycle: Naegleria fowleri
    • Possible Mechanisms of Infection: Naegleria fowleri
    • Illness and Symptoms: Naegleria fowleri
    • Laboratory Diagnostic Methods: Naegleria fowleri
    • Laboratory Diagnostic Methods: Naegleria fowleri, continued
    • Case of a Survivor: Naegleria fowleri
    • Where is Naegleria fowleri found most often in nature?
    • True or False: People may become infected with Naegleria fowleri by drinking contaminated water.
    • Treatment: Naegleria fowleri
    • Prevention: Naegleria fowleri
  • Acanthamoeba species
    • Introduction: Acanthamoeba species
    • Life Cycle: Acanthamoeba species
    • Possible Mechanisms of Infection: Acanthamoeba Species
    • Illness and Symptoms: Acanthamoeba Keratitis
    • Illness and Symptoms: Granulomatous Amoebic Encephalitis
    • Illness and Symptoms: Cutaneous Acanthamoebiasis
    • Laboratory Diagnostic Methods: Acanthamoeba species
    • Treatment: Acanthamoeba species
    • Prevention: Acanthamoeba species
    • What was the 1991 classification of the genus Acanthamoeba species based on?
    • True or False: Acanthamoeba keratitis primarily affects otherwise healthy people, usually those wearing contact lenses.
  • Balamuthia mandrillaris
    • Introduction: Balamuthia mandrillaris
    • Life Cycle: Balamuthia mandrillaris
    • Possible Mechanisms of Infection: Balamuthia mandrillaris
    • Illness and Symptoms: Balamuthia mandrillaris
    • Laboratory Diagnostic Methods: Balamuthia mandrillaris
    • Treatment and Prevention: Balamuthia mandrillaris
  • Additional Suggested Reading
    • Additional Suggested Reading
  • References
    • References

Additional Information

Level of Instruction: Basic
Intended Audience: Medical laboratory scientists, medical laboratory technicians, laboratory supervisors, and laboratory managers. This course is also appropriate for MLS and MLT students and pathology residents.
Author Information:
Garland E. Pendergraph, PhD, JD, MLS(ASCP)SM, HCLD/CC(ABB), received his MSPH from the University of Kentucky in Lexington, his PhD in medical parasitology/entomology and mycology from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, and his law degree with a concentration in health care law from Concord Law School, Purdue University. He also did a Fellowship in Tropical Medicine at Louisiana State University School of Medicine. He is the author of a textbook in phlebotomy, a number of scientific articles, plus internet training programs. 
Tamika Gosha, MA, MT(AAB), is the laboratory manager at the student health services, Valdosta State University. She received her Bachelor's and Master’s degrees from Purdue University.
The authors have no conflict of interest to disclose.
Reviewer Information:
Laurie Bjerklie, MA, MLS(ASCP)CM, is a Lead Education Developer. She earned a B.S. in Medical Laboratory Science from the University of North Dakota and an M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction from Saint Xavier University. She has over 15 years of experience in higher education and has held program director and faculty positions in both MLT and MLS programs
Dr. Julie Ann West is certified by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) as a Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) and as a Specialist in Microbiology (SM). In addition, Dr. West has earned a PhD in Public Health - Infectious Disease Epidemiology - and is Certified in Public Health (CPH) by the National Board of Public Health Examiners. Dr. West is experienced as a Technical Specialist, Safety Officer, Educator, and Lead in the Veterans Administration Healthcare System, and has prior experience as an Administrative Laboratory Director.