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Naegleria fowleri: The Brain-Eating Amoeba

    • Naegleria fowleri, commonly known as the "brain-eating amoeba," is a single-cell organism found in warm freshwater environments such as lakes, hot springs, and poorly maintained swimming pools.
    • It is a microscopic organism that can only be seen with a microscope.
    • The amoeba enters the body through the nose and can cause a severe brain infection known as primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM).
  • Spread in the Human Body:
    • The amoeba is typically acquired through the nasal passage and mouth when a person swims, dives, or uses contaminated water for religious rituals.
    • It then migrates through the olfactory nerve to the brain, leading to severe inflammation and destruction of brain tissue.
    • Naegleria fowleri infection does not spread from person to person.

§  Vermamoeba vermiformis is a free-living amoeba found in natural and man-made environments, including freshwater sources.

§  It can host various pathogens and is linked to opportunistic diseases such as encephalitis and epithelial disorders.
  • At-risk Individuals:
    • While the human body is generally vulnerable to Naegleria fowleri, infections are extremely rare.
    • Certain factors can increase vulnerability, such as a weakened immune system, a history of nasal or sinus issues, or activities involving exposure to warm freshwater.
  • Symptoms and Prognosis:
    • Symptoms usually appear within a week of infection and include severe headache, fever, nausea, vomiting, stiff neck, confusion, seizures, and hallucinations.
    • The infection progresses rapidly and can lead to coma and death. The chances of survival are unfortunately low.
  • Treatment:
    • Treatment includes a combination of drugs.
    • The drug Miltefosine has shown efficacy in killing Naegleria fowleri in laboratory settings and has been used successfully in the treatment of some survivors.
    • Even with treatment, the chances of surviving Naegleria fowleri infection remain low with a recorded death rate of 97 per cent.

bRAIN EATING AMOEBA







POSTED ON 20-08-2025 BY ADMIN
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