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Causes
By Mayo Clinic staff
Naegleria infection occurs when you are infected with an Naegleria fowleri amoeba.
Naegleria amoebas live in fresh waters
These amoebas are commonly found in warm bodies of fresh water. Examples include:
- Lakes
- Ponds
- Hot springs
- Warm water discharge from industrial plants
- Pools that are improperly maintained or inadequately chlorinated
Infection enters through your nose
Naegleria infection occurs when water containing N. fowleri amoeba flows into your nose. The amoebas are also found in soil. It's possible you could be infected by inhaling contaminated dust through your nose, as well.
After the amoeba enters your nose, it penetrates your nasal mucous membranes and makes its way to your brain through your olfactory nerve. Once in your brain, naegleria causes inflammation and usually fatal destruction of brain tissue.
Not everyone gets infected
Not everyone exposed to N. fowleri amoebas will become infected. Only one in every 2.6 million exposures to the amoeba leads to infection. Why some people become infected after exposure and others don't isn't known.
