- The brain-eating amoeba is a type of one-celled organism known as Naegleria fowleri, which lives in warm freshwater environments such as lakes, rivers, and hot springs.
- Naegleria fowleri can infect the brain and destroy brain tissue.
- The infection, primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), is nearly always fatal.
- Infections typically occur when individuals swim in warm freshwater bodies where the ameba is present.
- The ameba infects people by entering the body through the nose, so there is a higher likelihood of infection when water is forced into the nose under pressure, such as during diving.
- The main symptoms of the disease are fever, headache, vomiting, and seizures.
- Later symptoms can include a stiff neck, confusion, lack of attention to people and surroundings, loss of balance, seizures, and hallucinations.
There are no definitive treatments for primary amoebic meningoencephalitis.
What is the brain-eating amoeba behind the recent deaths in Kerala?
A 14-year-old boy undergoing treatment for primary amoebic meningoencephalitis, a rare infection caused by Naegleria fowleri, also known as the “brain-eating amoeba”, died at a private hospital in Kerala on Wednesday, according to state health officials.The infection was traced back to a small pond where the boy had been swimming, prompting immediate preventive measures by health authorities.
What is primary amoebic meningoencephalitis?
Primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) is a rare and often fatal brain infection caused by the Naegleria fowleri amoeba. Here are some key facts about PAM:
- Caused by: Naegleria fowleri, a type of free-living amoeba found in warm freshwater environments.
- Transmission: Infection occurs when contaminated water enters the nose, allowing the amoeba to travel to the brain.
- Symptoms:
- Initial: fever, headache, vomiting, seizures
- Later: stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, hallucinations
- Progression: Rapid progression, often leading to death within 3-7 days of symptom onset
- Diagnosis: Based on symptoms, imaging studies (e.g., CT or MRI scans), and laboratory tests (e.g., CSF analysis)
- Treatment: Limited options, including antiparasitic medications and supportive care; early diagnosis and treatment are crucial
- Mortality rate: High, with estimates ranging from 70% to over 90%
How does ‘brain-eating amoeba’ infect people?
The “brain-eating amoeba,” Naegleria fowleri, infects people through the nose, typically when contaminated water is forced into the nasal passages. This can happen in several ways:
1.Swimming: In warm freshwater lakes, rivers, or hot springs, water can enter the nose while swimming, especially when diving or submerging the head.
2. Water sports: Participating in water sports, like surfing or water skiing, can increase the risk of infection.
3. Nose immersion: Immersing the nose in contaminated water, such as during religious rituals or playfully splashing in water.
4. Neti pots: Using contaminated water in neti pots for nasal irrigation can also lead to infection.
5. Contaminated water: Drinking water contaminated with Naegleria fowleri can, in rare cases, lead to infection.Once the amoeba enters the nose, it travels up the olfactory nerve and into the brain, causing primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM).
What are its symptoms?
Initial symptoms include headache, fever, nausea, and vomiting. As the infection progresses, symptoms can escalate to a stiff neck, confusion, seizures, hallucinations, and eventually coma.
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), most people with primary amoebic meningoencephalitis die within 1 to 18 days after symptoms begin, usually leading to coma and death after about five days.
