Often diagnosed post-mortem given general low clinical suspicion and rapid death of patients
Lumbar puncture - basic studies may be consistent with meningitis with a negative Gram stain
Wet mount may see free moving trophozoites
Giemsa-Wright, H+E, PAS, trichrome staining may show amoebae
Immunohistochemical staining
Culture
PCR of CSF or tissue sample are newer modalities
CT brain - should be to evaluate for abscess/mass/hemorrhage and prior to LP
Wet mount may see free moving trophozoites
Giemsa-Wright, H+E, PAS, trichrome staining may show amoebae
Immunohistochemical staining
Culture
Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis
Encephalitis
Drug induced aseptic meningitis
Meningitis
Neoplastic meningitis
Brain abscess
Limbic encephalitis
Sepsis