According to the latest news, Naegleria has been identified locally. With a 30-year-old being its first victim in Lahore, this brain-eating amoeba has finally made an appearance in the country. Such circumstances call for immediate action and understanding. In this post, we will uncover the causes, symptoms, and treatment options of this fatal infection. Naegleria is an amoeba generally found in freshwater and soil. Naegleria fowleri is the only species that infect humans. It may cause a severe brain infection. It is named Primary amoebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM), which is often fatal.
Understanding Naegleria
Naegleria is a free-living amoeba with over 20 living species. It is too small to be seen with the naked eye. You have to use a microscope to observe it closely. Primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) is a central nervous system infection. And Naegleria fowleri attacks as a result of PAM. Only 4 out of 157 human beings in the United States have survived this infection from 1962 to 2022.
How does Naegleria fowleri spread and cause infection in humans?
- Naegleria fowleri infects humans when water containing the amoeba enters the body through the nostril. People engaged in water sports are more at risk of getting this infection. This amoeba can move from your nose to the brain. From where it destroys the brain tissue and starts spreading the disease.
- Naegleria fowleri infections may take place when people use infected tap water to cleanse their noses during spiritual practices or rinse their sinuses.
- In very rare instances, people have gotten Naegleria fowleri infections from recreational water without sufficient chlorine, such as swimming pools, splash pads, or surf parks.
- There is no proof of the infection spreading through water vapor or aerosol droplets. Also, people drinking infected water cannot catch this infection.
Signs and symptoms of Naegleria fowleri?
The symptoms and signs come on abruptly and are severe at the start. These may include:
- High fever
- Very painful headache
- Nausea and vomiting
- Trembling.
- Symptoms like those of meningitis, along with a stiff neck and excessive sensitivity to light (photophobia),
- Mental confusion
- Coma
Later symptoms might also include:
- Stiff neck
- Confusion
- Lack of interest in human beings and surroundings
- Lack of stability
- Seizures
- Hallucinations
After signs and symptoms start, the ailment can progress quickly and cause death within five days. The fatality rate is higher than 97%, even with remedies.
How is infection with a brain-eating amoeba diagnosed?
Your doctor may advise a test named spinal tap, to rule out the presence of this infection within your body.
Your doctor may also advocate a brain biopsy. During this process, they’ll take a tissue pattern and look at it under a microscope to check for the presence of the amoeba.
Treatment Options for N. Fowleri Infections
There have been no clinical trials to date that assess the efficacy of one treatment regimen over another. Currently, PAM is treated with a mixture of medicines, including:
- Amphotericin B
- Azithromycin
- Fluconazole
- Rifampin
- Miltefosine
- Dexamethasone
Conclusion
Infections with Naegleria fowleri are rare. It is possible to mix up the early signs and symptoms of other more common illnesses, including bacterial meningitis. It is best to get treatment immediately whenever you develop an unexpected onset of fever, headache, vomiting, or stiff neck, especially if you have been in freshwater recently.