Free-Living Amoeba as Agents of Infection (Online CE Course)

(based on 393 customer ratings)

Authors: Garland E. Pendergraph, PhD, JD, MLS(ASCP)SM, HCLD/CC(ABB) and Tamika E. Gosha, MA, MT(AAB)
Reviewers: Laurie Bjerklie, MA, MLS(ASCP)CM and Julie Ann West, PhD, MLS(ASCP)CMSMCM

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Most protozoa are free-living and have little or no impact on human health. They are found throughout the environment, particularly in soil and water. However, four free-living amoebas have been associated with serious human infections. This course seeks to identify these amoebas, discuss their life cycles, methods of infection, and symptoms, and determine available preventive measures.

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Continuing Education Credits

P.A.C.E.® Contact Hours (acceptable for AMT, ASCP, and state recertification): 1 hour(s)
Approved through 3/31/2026
Florida Board of Clinical Laboratory Personnel Credit Hours - General (Microbiology/Mycology/Parasitology): 1 hour(s)
Approved through 3/31/2026

Objectives

  • Identify the primary free-living amoeba that infect humans and contrast their life cycles.
  • Recognize the method of infection and symptoms that occur for each of the free-living amoeba.
  • Describe diagnostic methods for each of the free-living amoeba.
  • Determine preventive measures for each of the free-living amoeba.

Customer Ratings

(based on 393 customer ratings)

Course Outline

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Additional Information

Level of Instruction: Basic
Intended Audience: Medical laboratory scientists, medical laboratory technicians, laboratory supervisors, and laboratory managers. This course is also appropriate for MLS and MLT students and pathology residents.
Author Information:
Garland E. Pendergraph, PhD, JD, MLS(ASCP)SM, HCLD/CC(ABB), received his MSPH from the University of Kentucky in Lexington, his PhD in medical parasitology/entomology and mycology from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, and his law degree with a concentration in health care law from Concord Law School, Purdue University. He also did a Fellowship in Tropical Medicine at Louisiana State University School of Medicine. He is the author of a textbook in phlebotomy, a number of scientific articles, plus internet training programs. 
Tamika Gosha, MA, MT(AAB), is the laboratory manager at the student health services, Valdosta State University. She received her Bachelor's and Master’s degrees from Purdue University.
The authors have no conflict of interest to disclose.
Reviewer Information:
Laurie Bjerklie, MA, MLS(ASCP)CM, is a Lead Education Developer. She earned a B.S. in Medical Laboratory Science from the University of North Dakota and an M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction from Saint Xavier University. She has over 15 years of experience in higher education and has held program director and faculty positions in both MLT and MLS programs
Dr. Julie Ann West is certified by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) as a Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) and as a Specialist in Microbiology (SM). In addition, Dr. West has earned a PhD in Public Health - Infectious Disease Epidemiology - and is Certified in Public Health (CPH) by the National Board of Public Health Examiners. Dr. West is experienced as a Technical Specialist, Safety Officer, Educator, and Lead in the Veterans Administration Healthcare System, and has prior experience as an Administrative Laboratory Director.
 

How to Subscribe
MLS & MLT Comprehensive CE Package
Includes 252 CE courses, most popular
$109Add to cart
Pick Your Courses
Up to 8 CE hours
$55Add to cart
Individual course$25Add to cart
Figure 1. Trophozoite of N. fowleri in CSF, stained with trichrome


Figure 11. Cyst of B. mandrillaris in brain tissue,<br> stained with H&E


Figure 12. IIF staining of Balamuthia mandrillaris in brain tissue


Trophozoites in brain biopsy