Selective medium for Naegleria fowleri is ?
**Core Concept**
Naegleria fowleri is a free-living amoeba that causes primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), a rare but usually fatal disease. It is an opportunistic pathogen that infects humans through contaminated water. The selective medium for Naegleria fowleri is crucial for its isolation and identification.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The correct selective medium for Naegleria fowleri is Non-Nutrient Agar (NNA) with heat-killed Escherichia coli. This medium allows the growth of Naegleria fowleri while inhibiting the growth of other bacteria and amoebae. The heat-killed E. coli serves as a nutrient source for the amoeba, promoting its growth and allowing it to be isolated from clinical samples. The non-nutrient agar provides the necessary physical support for the amoeba to move and feed on the bacteria.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** This option is incorrect because it does not specify a medium that is selective for Naegleria fowleri.
**Option B:** This option is incorrect because it is not a commonly used medium for the isolation of Naegleria fowleri.
**Option C:** This option is incorrect because it does not provide the necessary nutrient source for the amoeba to grow.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
Naegleria fowleri can be isolated from clinical samples using Non-Nutrient Agar with heat-killed E. coli, and diagnosis is typically made through microscopic examination of the amoeba's characteristic morphology.
**Correct Answer: C. Non-Nutrient Agar with heat-killed E. coli.**