Amoebic encephalitis is a rare but fatal infection of the central nervous system caused by a free-living amoeba, the Naegleria fowleri amoeba, also known as the brain-eating amoeba, which is found in freshwater, lakes and rivers.
A week earlier, the amoebic encephalitis infection, caused by the amoeba Naegleria fowleri, claimed the life of Dakshina, a 13-year-old girl from Kannur.
Earlier in May, a five-year-old girl also from Kannur succumbed to the infection.
Another 12-year-old boy from Kozhikode was suspected of having the disease after showing symptoms of amoebic infection. While two cases occur within days of swimming in a lake, in Dakshina's case it reportedly took several months to manifest.
"Amoebic encephalitis, caused by the amoeba Naegleria fowleri, usually begins between one and nine days after exposure to contaminated water. This infection enters through the nasal cavity and progresses rapidly, potentially fatal within days," Dr. Arjun Srivatsa, Director and HOD - Sakra World Hospital Institute of Neurosciences told IANS.
Symptoms commonly include severe headache, fever, nausea, vomiting, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, seizures, hallucinations, sensitivity to light, and coma.
There are two types of amoebic encephalitis, namely primary meningoencephalitis (PAM) and granulomatous amoebic encephalitis (GAE). The initial symptoms of PAM are indistinguishable from bacterial meningitis, while the symptoms of GAE can mimic a brain abscess, encephalitis, or meningitis.
Antimicrobial therapy is the mainstay of treatment, but the mortality rate exceeds 90 percent.
Dr John Paul, consultant in tropical medicine and infectious diseases at Bengaluru's SPARSH Hospital, asked parents to "take precautions before allowing children to enter any body of water".
"PAM rapidly affects the central nervous system and the mortality rate is 90 percent. This usually occurs in healthy children and young adults who would have been exposed to any body of water that has the presence of the Naegleria fowleri amoeba. This amoeba it is present in warm water and fresh water and soil," Dr John told IANS.
Dr. John explained that a week after contracting the infection, symptoms progress causing stiffness in the neck; convulsions; confusion, hallucinations, and personality changes; photophobia; loss of balance.
"If not detected in the early stages, the patient's symptoms progress to coma, severe brain swelling and death," he said.
Experts advised avoiding swimming, diving or submerging, especially for immunocompromised people, to minimize the risk of contracting amoebic encephalitis from contaminated water.
"If swimming is necessary, the use of nose clips may provide some protection against the entry of Naegleria fowleri through the nasal passages," said Dr. Arjun.
A week earlier, the amoebic encephalitis infection, caused by the amoeba Naegleria fowleri, claimed the life of Dakshina, a 13-year-old girl from Kannur.
Earlier in May, a five-year-old girl also from Kannur succumbed to the infection.
Another 12-year-old boy from Kozhikode was suspected of having the disease after showing symptoms of amoebic infection. While two cases occur within days of swimming in a lake, in Dakshina's case it reportedly took several months to manifest.
"Amoebic encephalitis, caused by the amoeba Naegleria fowleri, usually begins between one and nine days after exposure to contaminated water. This infection enters through the nasal cavity and progresses rapidly, potentially fatal within days," Dr. Arjun Srivatsa, Director and HOD - Sakra World Hospital Institute of Neurosciences told IANS.
Symptoms commonly include severe headache, fever, nausea, vomiting, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, seizures, hallucinations, sensitivity to light, and coma.
There are two types of amoebic encephalitis, namely primary meningoencephalitis (PAM) and granulomatous amoebic encephalitis (GAE). The initial symptoms of PAM are indistinguishable from bacterial meningitis, while the symptoms of GAE can mimic a brain abscess, encephalitis, or meningitis.
Antimicrobial therapy is the mainstay of treatment, but the mortality rate exceeds 90 percent.
Dr John Paul, consultant in tropical medicine and infectious diseases at Bengaluru's SPARSH Hospital, asked parents to "take precautions before allowing children to enter any body of water".
"PAM rapidly affects the central nervous system and the mortality rate is 90 percent. This usually occurs in healthy children and young adults who would have been exposed to any body of water that has the presence of the Naegleria fowleri amoeba. This amoeba it is present in warm water and fresh water and soil," Dr John told IANS.
Dr. John explained that a week after contracting the infection, symptoms progress causing stiffness in the neck; convulsions; confusion, hallucinations, and personality changes; photophobia; loss of balance.
"If not detected in the early stages, the patient's symptoms progress to coma, severe brain swelling and death," he said.
Experts advised avoiding swimming, diving or submerging, especially for immunocompromised people, to minimize the risk of contracting amoebic encephalitis from contaminated water.
"If swimming is necessary, the use of nose clips may provide some protection against the entry of Naegleria fowleri through the nasal passages," said Dr. Arjun.
