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Parasites

Photos of Naegleria fowleri

Clinicians: For 24/7 diagnostic assistance, specimen collection guidance, shipping instructions, and treatment recommendations, please contact the CDC Emergency Operations Center at 770-488-7100. More detailed guidance is under Information for Public Health & Medical Professionals.

These photos of Naegleria fowleri in a variety of forms are presented to aid in laboratory diagnosis. Please be aware that these photographs are intended to aid in laboratory diagnosis and may be disturbing to some viewers.

  • A wet mount of Naegleria fowleri trophozoites cultured from the CSF of a patient with primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) viewed using phase contrast microscopy. Magnification: 600x.

    Phase Contrast MicroscopyA wet mount of Naegleria fowleri trophozoites cultured from the CSF of a patient with primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) viewed using phase contrast microscopy. Magnification: 600x.

  • A cytospin of fixed CSF showing a Naegleria fowleri trophozoite (arrow) stained with Giemsa-Wright amidst polymorphonuclear leukocytes and a few lymphocytes. Within the trophozoite, the nucleus and nucleolus can be seen. Magnification: 1000x.

    Giemsa-Wright StainA cytospin of fixed CSF showing a Naegleria fowleri trophozoite (arrow) stained with Giemsa-Wright amidst polymorphonuclear leukocytes and a few lymphocytes. Within the trophozoite, the nucleus and nucleolus can be seen. Magnification: 1000x.

  • A section of the cerebral portion of the brain from a PAM patient, stained with hematoxylin and eosin, showing large clusters of Naegleria fowleri trophozoites and the destruction of the normal brain tissue architecture. Cysts are not seen. Magnification: 100x. Inset: Higher magnification (1000x) of Naegleria fowleri trophozoites (arrows) with the characteristic nuclear morphology.

    Brain Tissue Stained with Hematoxylin and EosinA section of the cerebral portion of the brain from a PAM patient, stained with hematoxylin and eosin, showing large clusters of Naegleria fowleri trophozoites and the destruction of the normal brain tissue architecture. Cysts are not seen. Magnification: 100x. Inset: Higher magnification (1000x) of Naegleria fowleri trophozoites (arrows) with the characteristic nuclear morphology.

  • A section of the cerebral portion of the brain from a PAM patient reacted with the specific anti-Naegleria fowleri antibody which has been conjugated to a fluorescent antibody (immunofluorescent staining) viewed using microscopy with an exciter filter. Note the large numbers of Naegleria fowleri trophozoites staining bright green. No cysts are seen. Magnification: 100x.

    Immunofluorescent StainA section of the cerebral portion of the brain from a PAM patient reacted with the specific anti-Naegleria fowleri antibody which has been conjugated to a fluorescent antibody (immunofluorescent staining) viewed using microscopy with an exciter filter. Note the large numbers of Naegleria fowleri trophozoites staining bright green. No cysts are seen. Magnification: 100x.

  • A section of the brain from a PAM patient stained with hemotoxylin and eosin showing a large cluster of Naegleria fowleri trophozoites surrounding capillaries. Magnification: 400x.

    Brain Tissue Stained with Hematoxylin and EosinA section of the brain from a PAM patient stained with hemotoxylin and eosin showing a large cluster of Naegleria fowleri trophozoites surrounding capillaries. Magnification: 400x.

  • Extensive hemorrhage and necrosis is present in the brain, mainly in the frontal cortex.

    Whole Brain 1Extensive hemorrhage and necrosis is present in the brain, mainly in the frontal cortex.

  • Extensive hemorrhage and necrosis is present in the brain, mainly in the frontal cortex.

    Whole Brain 2Extensive hemorrhage and necrosis is present in the brain, mainly in the frontal cortex.

  • Focal hemorrhage and necrosis in frontal cortex due to Naegleria fowleri

    Brain Section 1Focal hemorrhage and necrosis in frontal cortex due to Naegleria fowleri.

  • Focal hemorrhage and necrosis in frontal cortex due to Naegleria fowleri

    Brain Section 2Focal hemorrhage and necrosis in frontal cortex due to Naegleria fowleri.

  • A wet mount of Naegleria fowleri trophozoites cultured from the CSF of a patient with primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) viewed using phase contrast microscopy. Magnification: 600x.
  • A cytospin of fixed CSF showing a Naegleria fowleri trophozoite (arrow) stained with Giemsa-Wright amidst polymorphonuclear leukocytes and a few lymphocytes. Within the trophozoite, the nucleus and nucleolus can be seen. Magnification: 1000x.
  • A section of the cerebral portion of the brain from a PAM patient, stained with hematoxylin and eosin, showing large clusters of Naegleria fowleri trophozoites and the destruction of the normal brain tissue architecture. Cysts are not seen. Magnification: 100x. Inset: Higher magnification (1000x) of Naegleria fowleri trophozoites (arrows) with the characteristic nuclear morphology.
  • A section of the cerebral portion of the brain from a PAM patient reacted with the specific anti-Naegleria fowleri antibody which has been conjugated to a fluorescent antibody (immunofluorescent staining) viewed using microscopy with an exciter filter. Note the large numbers of Naegleria fowleri trophozoites staining bright green. No cysts are seen. Magnification: 100x.
  • A section of the brain from a PAM patient stained with hemotoxylin and eosin showing a large cluster of Naegleria fowleri trophozoites surrounding capillaries. Magnification: 400x.
  • Extensive hemorrhage and necrosis is present in the brain, mainly in the frontal cortex.
  • Extensive hemorrhage and necrosis is present in the brain, mainly in the frontal cortex.
  • Focal hemorrhage and necrosis in frontal cortex due to Naegleria fowleri
  • Focal hemorrhage and necrosis in frontal cortex due to Naegleria fowleri

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