Naegleria fowleri

species of free-living excavate form of protist

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.

Naegleria fowleri
Different stages of Naegleria fowleri
Scientific classification
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N. fowleri
Binomial name
Naegleria fowleri
Carter (1970)

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.