Biology and Pathogenesis of free living amoebae in Jamaica, West Indies. Free living amoebae (FLA) including Acanthamoeba spp., Vahlkampfia spp., Naegleria fowleri, Balamuthia mandrillaris, Sappinia diploidea and S.pedata are amphizoic, opportunistic protozoa that are ubiquitous in nature. More than 80% of the human population exhibit antibodies against Acanthamoeba which indicates a frequent exposure to this amoeba. Infection with such FLA may result severe meningitis, keratitis or cutaneous infections...