Acanthamoeba

Source: TH

Context: Kerala’s Health Department has raised concern after fresh evidence showed Acanthamoeba is more widespread in the State’s waterbodies than earlier believed.

About Acanthamoeba:

• What it is? A free-living protozoan parasite, found in soil and water. Causes serious infections like Acanthamoeba keratitis (eye) and Granulomatous Amoebic Encephalitis (GAE) (brain).

• A free-living protozoan parasite, found in soil and water.

• Causes serious infections like Acanthamoeba keratitis (eye) and Granulomatous Amoebic Encephalitis (GAE) (brain).

• Found in: Household wells, ponds, storage tanks, and other freshwater sources. Thrives in water rich in coli and high coliform count.

• Household wells, ponds, storage tanks, and other freshwater sources.

• Thrives in water rich in coli and high coliform count.

• Features: Exists in two forms: trophozoite (active) and cyst (dormant, resistant). Opportunistic pathogen, affecting both healthy and immunocompromised individuals. Can enter through minor corneal tears, contact lenses, or open wounds.

• Exists in two forms: trophozoite (active) and cyst (dormant, resistant).

• Opportunistic pathogen, affecting both healthy and immunocompromised individuals.

• Can enter through minor corneal tears, contact lenses, or open wounds.

• Symptoms: Keratitis: Severe eye pain, redness, blurred vision, sensitivity to light, corneal ulcers. Encephalitis: Headache, fever, seizures, neurological deficits — often fatal if untreated.

• Keratitis: Severe eye pain, redness, blurred vision, sensitivity to light, corneal ulcers.

• Encephalitis: Headache, fever, seizures, neurological deficits — often fatal if untreated.

• Treatment: Keratitis: Early diagnosis critical; treated with antimicrobial eye drops (biguanides, diamidines) and sometimes corneal transplant in advanced cases. Encephalitis: Difficult to treat; combination of antifungals, antibiotics, and supportive care; survival rate remains low. Preventive Measures: Chlorination of wells and safe water practices; strict contact lens hygiene.

• Keratitis: Early diagnosis critical; treated with antimicrobial eye drops (biguanides, diamidines) and sometimes corneal transplant in advanced cases.

• Encephalitis: Difficult to treat; combination of antifungals, antibiotics, and supportive care; survival rate remains low.

• Preventive Measures: Chlorination of wells and safe water practices; strict contact lens hygiene.