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Death by brain-eating amoeba is an inside job

Immune response may be the real killer after infection with N. fowleri

amoebas (yellow); brain (blood vessel and blood cells shown in blue and orange)

BRAIN BOUND  Naegleria fowleri amoebas (yellow) get into the brain through the nose and attack tissue in the brain (blood vessel and blood cells shown in blue and orange), but the major danger comes from the immune system’s reaction, scientists suggest.

London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine/Science Source

By Laura Sanders

- More than 2 years ago

On July 9, just a few days after swimming in Minnesota’s Lake Minnewaska, 14-year-old Hunter Boutain was dead.