This article will elaborate on Brain-Eating Amoeba, its casual agent, symptoms, treatment and recent cases in India.
Brain-eating amoeba is caused by an amoeba called Naegleri fowleri. This organism affects the central nervous system (CNS) in humans. The amoeba is free living and is found throughout the world in warm and shallow water bodies like ponds, lakes, hot springs, unclorinated swimming pools, rivers etc. This amoeba can also be found in the soil. This enters through the nose and reaches to the brain, where it infects the CNS. After infection person develops a condition called primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM). This infection seriously infects the nervous system and is fatal. This infection is very uncommon and rare cases happen throughout the world. The fatality rate is higher than 97% even having the treatment of medicines like miltefosine.
Symptoms of the disease.
The symptoms of brain-eating amoeba disease or primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) are very severe and sudden. The symptoms include:
- Very severe headache with high fever.
- Vomiting and nausea.
- Trembling.
- Photophobia (extreme sensitivity to light).
- Mental confusion.
- Stiff neck and loss of balance.
- Seizures and hallucinations.
- Lack of attention and surroundings.
Diagnosis and tests
The tests for the presence of brain-eating amoeba include:
Brain biopsy: In this procedure, the tissue sample is taken and examined under a microscope for the presence of amoeba.
Spinal Tap: This is also called lumbar puncture, in which patient's cerebrospinal fluid is checked for the presence of amoeba.
Treatment and prevention for brain-eating amoeba.
The primary treatment for brain-eating amoeba is amphotericin B, an antifungal drug. Some patients are treated with miltefosine, this drug includes rifampin and fluconazole. The disease needs more prevention because of the limited treatment available. Prevention of the disease includes:
- Do not go swimming in still waters with warm temperatures.
- Always use nose plugs during swimming, if amoeba is likely to be present in the surroundings.
- Use filtered water for usage, if there is a presence of this amoeba in the water. You can use NSF 53, NSF 57, or an absolute pore size of 1 micron for filtration purposes.
- Chlorinate the swimming pools regularly for the disinfection of water.
Conclusion
Naegleri fowleri is the amoeba that is responsible for the brain-eating amoeba disease. The organism affects the CNS of the human. The person develops a condition called primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM). The infection is very rare and has limited treatment. Prevention of the infection is a good measure to avoid the disease. Avoiding swimming in still hot waters, unclorinated swimming pools, using nose clips during swimming etc. are some of the preventive measures to avoid the disease.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
What is brain-eating amoeba disease?
Brain-eating disease develops after the infection of amoeba (Naegleri fowleri) and develops a condition called primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM).
Which organism causes the brain-eating amoeba disease?
Naegleri fowleri is responsible for the brain-eating disease.
What are the symptoms of brain-eating amoeba disease?
The symptoms of brain-eating amoeba include Very severe headache with high fever, Vomiting and nausea, Trembling, Photophobia (extreme sensitivity to light), Mental confusion etc.
What are the diagnostic tests for brain-eating amoeba disease?
The diagnostic tests for brain-eating amoeba diseases include brain biopsy and spinal biopsy.
What are the preventions from brain-eating amoeba disease?
The preventive measures include avoiding still waters for bathing, using nose plugs while swimming, using filtered water, chlorinating swimming pools regularly etc.
What is the treatment of brain-eating amoeba disease?
The treatment includes drugs like amphotericin B, miltefosine, rifampin, fluconazole etc.
