Hygiena 2026, 71(1):5-8 | DOI: 10.21101/hygiena.a1910
First case of naegleriasis in Slovakia and its investigation
- 1 Úrad verejného zdravotníctva Slovenskej republiky, Bratislava, Slovenská republika
- 2 Regionálny úrad verejného zdravotníctva, Banská Bystrica, Slovenská republika
- 3 Fakulta prírodných vied, Univerzita Mateja Bela, Banská Bystrica, Slovenská republika
- 4 Národný ústav detských chorôb, Bratislava, Slovenská republika
Objectives: Following the identification of the first case of primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) in Slovakia caused by the amoeba Naegleria fowleri in June 2025, an epidemiological investigation was conducted by the Public Health Authority of the Slovak Republic. The objective was to identify the source of infection and propose measures to prevent further potential cases of infection.
Methods: The epidemiological investigation involved sampling various types of environmental specimens from the recreational resort where the patient had bathed, alongside measurements of relevant physico-chemical parameters. Microscopic, culture, and molecular methods were utilized for sample analysis.
Results: A total of 193 samples of water, swabs, and sediments were examined. Several genera of amoebae, including Naegleria and Acanthamoeba, were detected in pool water samples and the recipient using the aforementioned methods. The presence of the Naegleria fowleri Mp2Cl5 gene was confirmed in the patient's clinical specimen using the PCR method.
Conclusion: The pathogen was not detected in the environmental samples during the investigation process. Its most likely reservoir was a water body – a recipient within the recreational resort area used for sports activities.
Keywords: naegleriasis, primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAME), epidemiological survey, amoebae, laboratory diagnostics of Naegleria fowleri, recreation waters
Received: March 2026; Accepted: May 2026; Published: April 2026 Show citation
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