Detection of Naegleria fowleri in thermally impacted recreational waters of western United States national parks
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Abstract
Naegleria fowleri is a thermophilic free-living amoeba (FLA) and the causative agent of primary amoebic meningoencephalitis, posing public health risks in warm freshwater environments. This multiyear, multiagency study surveyed 40 thermally impacted recreational waters across five western United States national parks and recreation areas–Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton National Park, Olympic National Park, Newberry National Volcanic Monument, and Lake Mead National Recreation Area–to assess N. fowleri presence, concentration, and associated environmental conditions. A total of 185 water samples were analyzed by qPCR and Sanger sequencing, revealing widespread detection of N. fowleri in 34% of samples with positive detections from Lake Mead, Yellowstone, and Grand Teton hot springs and thermally impacted waters, with concentrations ranging from 4.9 to 115.7 cells/L. Multiple codetections of N. fowleri with nonpathogenic species including Naegleria australiensis were identified, suggesting they may inhabit similar ecological niches in the natural systems in contrast to engineered systems. These findings indicate that N. fowleri is present in thermally impacted areas across the western United States and underscore the use of enhanced monitoring, public awareness, and risk management strategies in thermally influenced recreational waters.
Suggested Citation
Shikany, J.I., Banks, M.M., Barnhart, E.P., Kinsey, S., Wright, P.R., Kageyama, S.A., Merkes, C.M., Kulesza, N., Wylie, J., Halonen, S., Ortega-Villa, A.M., Long, C.M., Peyton, B.M., and Puzon, G., 2026, Detection of Naegleria fowleri in thermally impacted recreational waters of western United States national parks: ACS ES&T Water, v. 6, no. 3, p. 1704-1715, https://doi.org/10.1021/acsestwater.5c01243.
Study Area
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Detection of Naegleria fowleri in thermally impacted recreational waters of western United States national parks |
| Series title | ACS ES&T Water |
| DOI | 10.1021/acsestwater.5c01243 |
| Volume | 6 |
| Issue | 3 |
| Publication Date | March 02, 2026 |
| Year Published | 2026 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | ACS Publications |
| Contributing office(s) | Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, WY-MT Water Science Center |
| Description | 12 p. |
| First page | 1704 |
| Last page | 1715 |
| Country | United States |
| State | Arizona, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming |
| Other Geospatial | Grand Teton National Park, Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Newberry National Volcanic Monument, Olympic National Park, Yellowstone National Park |