Naegleria fowleri is a rare and complex infection that is severely underresearched. The news outlet WYFF reached out to Clemson University’s Eukaryotic Pathogen’s Innovation Center (EPIC) and its post doctoral fellow Dr. Jillian MeKon, who are focused on these organisms.
The week of July 7th the South Carolina Department of Public Health confirmed a case of Naegleria fowleri, also known as the brain-eating amoeba, in the state. On Tuesday, July 23rd, the patient succumbed to their illness.
“Naegleria is incredibly rare. So there are not that many people that work on it,” Jillian said. “It’s incredibly important, and something that I don’t want to ever be forgotten about.”
The group is actively conducting studies within the Jim Morris lab on campus to develop drugs for patients in hopes of lessening the severity of the disease and extending life. The Morris’ lab in EPIC used the enzyme HEX to further Naegleria fowleri research. The group said it led to hope for possible groundbreaking treatment.
“We are working very hard in finding a better treatment, because it is absolutely necessary. We need to work on the root of administration. So, figuring out exactly how to deliver that drug to the patient,” Jillian said.
