Brain-Eating Amoeba (Naegleria fowleri)

Syllabus: Health (UPSC Prelims)
Source: Indian Express

Context:

Kerala has reported three new cases of the deadly brain-eating amoeba, including the death of a nine-year-old, raising public health concerns.

What is it?

• A free-living amoeba (Naegleria fowleri) that causes Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM), a rare but often fatal brain infection.

Transmission:

• Enters the body through the nose while swimming or bathing in contaminated freshwater.
• Migrates to the brain, destroying tissue.
• Not spread through drinking water or person-to-person contact.

Habitat:

• Warm freshwater bodies like lakes, rivers, poorly maintained pools, splash pads.
• Thrives in temperatures up to 46°C.
• Sometimes found in soil and dust.

Symptoms:

• Early: Headache, fever, nausea, vomiting.
• Advanced: Stiff neck, confusion, seizures, hallucinations, coma.
• Progresses rapidly, often leading to death within 5–18 days.

Treatment:

• No specific cure; survival rates are extremely low (~3%).
• Combination therapy (Amphotericin B, Miltefosine, Fluconazole, Azithromycin) may help.
• Kerala has reported relatively better survival due to early detection.