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.
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