Brain-eating amoeba claims life of Kerala boy: All you need to know about Naegleria fowleri
Naegleria fowleri, commonly known as the brain-eating amoeba, is a rare but lethal microorganism that can cause a severe brain infection known as primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM).
A 14-year-old boy from Kozhikode, Kerala, succumbed to amoebic meningoencephalitis on Wednesday night. This marks the third fatality from the brain-eating amoeba in Kerala over the past two months, health officials report. The teenager had been hospitalized on June 24 after experiencing severe headache, nausea, and vomiting. It is believed he contracted the infection while bathing in a stream near his home.
What is the Brain-Eating Amoeba?
Naegleria fowleri, commonly known as the brain-eating amoeba, is a rare but lethal microorganism that can cause a severe brain infection known as primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM). This amoeba can inflict significant damage to brain tissue.
Symptoms of Amebic Meningoencephalitis
Symptoms of PAM typically appear between two to 15 days after exposure and progress rapidly. Early symptoms can be difficult to distinguish from bacterial or viral meningitis and include:
- Severe headache
- High fever
- Stiff neck
- Nausea
- Vomiting
As the infection advances, symptoms can escalate to:
- Confusion
- Disorientation
- Seizures
- Loss of balance
- Coma
Transmission of Naegleria fowleri
Infection occurs when water containing the amoeba enters the body through the nose. The amoeba then travels to the brain via the olfactory nerve. Ingesting water contaminated with Naegleria fowleri does not cause infection. PAM is not contagious and cannot be transmitted from person to person, as confirmed by the Cleveland Clinic.
Treatment
PAM progresses rapidly and is difficult to diagnose, with a fatality rate of 97%. However, some survivors in North America have been treated successfully with a combination of drugs, including amphotericin B, rifampin, fluconazole, and miltefosine, according to the CDC.