Naegleria fowleri
| Naegleria fowleri | |
|---|---|
| Different stages of Naegleria fowleri | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | |
| (unranked): | Excavata
|
| Phylum: | Percolozoa
|
| Class: | Heterolobosea
|
| Order: | Schizopyrenida
|
| Family: | Vahlkampfiidae
|
| Genus: | Naegleria
|
| Species: | N. fowleri
|
| Binomial name | |
| Naegleria fowleri Carter (1970)
| |
Naegleria fowleri is a free-living form of protist typically found in warm fresh water, from 25–35 degrees Celsius. It belongs to a group called the Percolozoa or Heterolobosea.
N. fowleri can invade and attack the human nervous system; although this occurs rarely, such an infection will nearly always result in the death of the victim.