Amoebic meningoencephalitis

Source: DH

Context: Kerala has reported another death due to amoebic meningoencephalitis, taking the state’s toll to 27 cases in 2025.

About Amoebic meningoencephalitis:

• What it is? Amoebic meningoencephalitis, or Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM), is a rare but fatal brain infection caused by a free-living amoeba that destroys brain tissue, leading to severe inflammation and swelling.

• Amoebic meningoencephalitis, or Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM), is a rare but fatal brain infection caused by a free-living amoeba that destroys brain tissue, leading to severe inflammation and swelling.

• Causative Agent: It is caused by Naegleria fowleri, commonly known as the “brain-eating amoeba.”

• Vector and Transmission:

• The disease is not spread person-to-person. Infection occurs when contaminated freshwater (from lakes, ponds, or unchlorinated pools) enters the nasal cavity, allowing the amoeba to travel to the brain via the olfactory nerve. It thrives in warm freshwater and soil, particularly during summer months.

• The disease is not spread person-to-person.

• Infection occurs when contaminated freshwater (from lakes, ponds, or unchlorinated pools) enters the nasal cavity, allowing the amoeba to travel to the brain via the olfactory nerve.

• It thrives in warm freshwater and soil, particularly during summer months.

• Found in: Naegleria fowleri is found in warm freshwater bodies—such as lakes, rivers, hot springs, and poorly maintained swimming pools—especially in tropical and subtropical regions.

• Symptoms:

• Early symptoms (1–9 days post-exposure): Headache, fever, nausea, vomiting. Advanced symptoms: Stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, seizures, hallucinations, and coma—leading to death within days if untreated.

• Early symptoms (1–9 days post-exposure): Headache, fever, nausea, vomiting.

• Advanced symptoms: Stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, seizures, hallucinations, and coma—leading to death within days if untreated.

• Treatment:

• Treatment is challenging; mortality exceeds 95%. Some survivors have recovered with early administration of amphotericin B, miltefosine, and supportive care. Prevention includes avoiding swimming in untreated freshwater, using nose clips, and maintaining proper chlorination of pools.

• Treatment is challenging; mortality exceeds 95%.

• Some survivors have recovered with early administration of amphotericin B, miltefosine, and supportive care.

• Prevention includes avoiding swimming in untreated freshwater, using nose clips, and maintaining proper chlorination of pools.