Brain-Eating Amoeba (Naegleria Fowleri)

Single-celled organisms are called amoebas. A species of amoeba known as the "brain-eating amoeba" was identified in 1965. Naegleria fowleri is the official name for it. It typically hides out in warm freshwater areas or dirty, untreated waters. When it enters the human body, it creates a lethal infection and inflammation in the brain that ultimately results in the "eating" away of brain tissue. PAM, as it is known medically, stands for primary amoebic meningoencephalitis. Only when contaminated water carrying the amoeba that eats brains enters your nose can you contract its?.

What is Naegleria fowleri, the Amoeba that Eats Brains?

An amoeba called Naegleria fowleri can be found in warm, shallow freshwater bodies of water all around the world, including lakes, rivers, and hot springs. In soil, it also thrives. It is regarded as a free-living creature because it can survive without a host.

Primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) is a disorder that affects those who are infected with this amoeba. PAM is an extremely dangerous, virtually invariably fatal infection of the central nervous system.

Naegleria comes in a variety of species, but only the fowleri species causes PAM. This amoeba was initially discovered in Australia.

Depending on its life stage and habitat, N. fowleri ranges in size from 8 micrometers to 15 micrometers. A hair is 40–50 micrometers wide in comparison.

Naegleria reproduces by cell division, just like other amoebas do. The amoebas develop into dormant cysts when the circumstances are unfavorable. When conditions are right, the cysts develop into trophozoites, the amoeba's feeding form.

Where Can You Find Brain-Eating Amoebas?

Warm water is ideal for naegleria. It can endure 115 F water without dying.

Around the world, these amoebas can be found in warm environments. the following places:

• Warm ponds, lakes, and rock formations
• Mud holes
• Rivers with warm currents, particularly those with low water levels
• Spas and swimming pools with no treatment
• Untreated municipal water supply or untreated well water
• Various geothermal water sources, including hot springs
• Water that has been thermally contaminated, such as runoff from power plants
• Aquariums
• Soil, including dust from inside
• Water play areas for kids
• Water parks

How do you contract the Naegleria fowleri Brain-Eating Amoeba?

When contaminated water enters your nose, you are most likely to become infected by this species of amoeba. The amoeba then travels to your brain. This typically occurs while swimming, diving, or engaging in an activity like water skiing in contaminated water. In exceedingly rare circumstances, contaminated water may be hot tap water or inadequately chlorinated pool water.

You cannot catch an infection by ingesting contaminated water.

How Common is a Brain-Eating Amoeba (Naegleria fowleri) Infection?

 In more recent years, a few cases have occurred in colder states during extremely hot spells. Climate change may be to blame for this shift in the location of illnesses.

Studies are being conducted that cast doubt on how uncommon Naegleria fowleri infection is. Some persons contain amoeba-specific antibodies, showing that they have contracted the infection and survived. Some meningitis-related deaths have been categorized as brain-eating amoeba (Naegleria fowleri) deaths.

Another concern is why some individuals don't contract the amoeba despite being in the same environment and engaging in the same activities as those who have.

Symptoms:

What signs and symptoms indicate a Naegleria fowleri (brain-eating amoeba) infection?

Primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) begins abruptly and with severe first signs and symptoms, such as:

• A terrible headache
• vomiting and nauseous.
• Trembling.
• Loss of appetite
• Fever

Meningitis-like symptoms, such as a stiff neck and an excessive sensitivity to light (photophobia).

• Bewilderment in the mind.
• Coma.
• Even with treatment, the death rate is more than 97%.

Causes:

What results in infection with the Naegleria fowleri brain-eating amoeba?

The Naegleria fowleri amoeba infects you when it enters your nasal passage and travels to your brain. If you breathe in any contaminated water, it can get inside of you. The amoeba typically inhabits warm freshwater bodies of water, such as hot springs (geothermal water).

Infected dust can also be inhaled, resulting in infection.

Using tap water instead of distilled or sterilized water to rinse out their noses with tools like neti pots has resulted in other cases of reported infection by the brain-eating amoeba (Naegleria fowleri).

How Soon Will Brain-Eating Amoeba Symptoms Show Up?

After N. fowleri amoebas enter the nose, symptoms might take two to fifteen days to manifest. Death typically happens 3 to 7 days following the onset of symptoms. The median number of days from the onset of symptoms to death is 5.3. Few patients have been documented to have survived an illness on the entire planet.

 Diagnosis:

How is a brain-eating amoeba infection identified? A spinal tap, sometimes referred to as a lumbar puncture, is advised if a medical professional suspects you may have contracted the brain-eating amoeba (Naegleria fowleri),  to determine whether the organism is present in your cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

A brain biopsy may also be suggested by your doctor. To check for the amoeba during this process, a tissue sample will be taken and examined under a microscope.

It can be challenging to identify infections with brain-eating amoebas. Your doctor will use particular lab tests to check for amoeba samples in your CSF fluid, biopsies, or tissue samples if they have a suspicion that you have PAM. 75% of PAM diagnoses are typically made after the disease results in death because PAM is uncommon and challenging to diagnose and detect.

 Treatment:

How is Naegleria fowleri, an amoeba that feeds on the brain, infected and treated?

The antifungal amphotericin B is the drug of choice for treating primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), also known as an infection with the brain-eating amoeba (Naegleria fowleri). Some survivors in North America received treatment with a cocktail of medications that comprised miltefosine, amphotericin B, rifampin, and fluconazole. Leishmaniasis is a parasite disease that is carried by sandflies, and miltefosine is a medication licensed for treating it.

However, early diagnosis and treatment with the suggested medications yielded the best results, as seen with two youngsters who made a full recovery. To alleviate brain swelling, the procedure also entails lowering body temperature.

Prevention:

How can I guard against contracting the Naegleria fowleri brain-eating amoeba?

• Although this ailment is extremely rare, prevention can still be crucial given its grim prognosis. The following are essential reminders:
• In warm freshwater areas, especially still waters, never swim, wade, or engage in water sports without nose plugs. If Naegleria fowleri is known to be there or is suspected to be present, avoid entering the water entirely.
• Never use tap water to rinse your nasal passages with a neti pot or any other device. Use only sterilized or distilled water. If you must use tap water, boil it for one minute before allowing it to cool. Boil the water for three minutes, then let it cool if you reside somewhere that is 6,500 feet above sea level.
• Filters can be used to clean water of microorganisms. Filters with the designations "NSF 53," "NSF 58," or "absolute pore size of 1 micron or smaller" should be used.
• To disinfect water for cleansing your nose and sinuses, you can also use chlorine bleach tablets or liquid. A different amount of bleach is needed to sterilize water for drinking versus water for nasal usage.
• Inform your healthcare physician of your recent activities if you do have fever or headache symptoms after bathing in warm freshwater.

Prognosis:

What are the chances (prognosis) for those who have the brain-eating amoeba Naegleria fowleri infection?

A person with Naegleria fowleri infection has an extremely dismal prognosis. Most persons who have this ailment die from it, even with treatment. Typically, a week to ten days after the onset of symptoms and signs, someone passes away after going into a coma.