| primary amoebic meningoencephalitis in britain. | primary amoebic meningoencephalitis is caused by amoebae of the genera naegleria and hartmannella (acanthamoeba), which ordinarily are free-living saprophytes. the infection may be acquired from fresh water-for example, while bathing-the amoebae invading the nasal mucosa and reaching the meninges and brain along the olfactory nerve filaments. the disease is designated "primary" to distinguish it from meningocerebral infection caused by the parasitic amoebae, particularly entamoeba histolytica, w ... | 1969 | 5354833 |