(Image of A. hatchetti parasite attacking a membrane.)


Known as a microscopic amoeba that is found worldwide in the soil, dust, freshwater sources
and seawater.  These parasites can cause a serious infection in the brain, the lungs, or the eyes.  Once inside the body, expecially the central nervous system which is the brain and spinal cord through the bloodstream.  The amoeba can also enter the cornea area and cause a serious infection called keratitis.  A. hatchelli causes skin lesions or a body-wide infection, or can lead to an often deadly infection called granulomatous amoebic encephalitis or GAE.  Once infected, a person will suffer headaches, stiff neck, nausea and vomiting, tiredness, confusion, lack of attention to surroundings, loss of balance and bodily control, will experience seizures and hallucinations.  This condition is usually fatal.

Symptoms of infection include:  headache, mental status abnormalities, seizures, stiff neck, irritability, nausea and vomiting, hallucinations, sleep disturbances, anorexia, chronic watering of the eyes, blurred vision, ocular pain, corneal ring, and irritation.