Pathogenicity factors in Naegleria fowleri

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Whole-genome analysis of N. fowleri highlights candidate pathogenicity factors for brain infection.

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Genome-wide identification of pathogenicity factors of the free-living amoeba Naegleria fowleri

Zysset-Burri DC, Müller N, Beuret C, et al. · BMC genomics · 2014

doi.org/10.1186/1471-2164-15-496 Read the full paper ↗60 citationscc by

Study at a glance

Design: Computational / modelling — De novo genome sequencing plus proteomics to nominate N. fowleri pathogenicity factors
N: ~29.6 Mb assembled nuclear genome (diploid estimate ~66 Mb); >500 million reads — genome resource study
Population: Naegleria fowleri (compared with non-pathogenic N. gruberi)
Outcome: Candidate pathogenicity gene sets from genome/proteome comparison

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Pathogenicity factors in Naegleria fowleri

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Naegleria fowleri.

Although approximately 30 species have been recognized so far, Naegleria fowleri is the only human pathogen that causes primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) []. Infection occurs when water contaminated by N.

Primary amoebic meningoencephalitis.

However, no more than a dozen patients out of approximately 350 reported PAM cases have been treated successfully with amphotericin B, either alone or in combination with other drugs [–]. Hence, N.

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What they did

Sequenced and assembled the N. fowleri genome and compared features relevant to virulence.

What they found

~30 Mb AT-rich genome assembled; candidate pathogenicity gene sets identified for follow-up.

The limits

What it doesn't show

Genome candidates need functional validation in infection models.

Key terms

Naegleria fowleri: Free-living amoeba causing PAM.
PAM: Primary amoebic meningoencephalitis.
Pathogenicity factor: Gene/product aiding virulence.
AT-rich: Low GC genome composition.
Free-living amoeba: Environmental protist that can infect.
Genome assembly: Reconstructing chromosomes from reads.

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Common questions

Organism?

N. fowleri.

Disease?

PAM.

Genome size?

~30 Mb.

Focus?

Pathogenicity factors.