PRIMARY AMOEBIC MENINGOENCEPHALITIS (Syllabus GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)

Context: In the past two months, Kerala has reported four cases of the rare but deadly primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), resulting in three deaths.

Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM)

• About: It is caused by Naegleria fowleri, an amoeba that thrives in warm freshwater environments such as lakes, ponds, and rivers.
• Also Known as: Brain Eating Amoeba, because it can cause a brain infection when water containing the amoeba goes up the nose.
• Causes of Increased Risk: Experts suggest that warming of the atmosphere and stagnant, unhygienic water sources are conditions that promote the infection.

oThe amoeba is more active in warm water.

• Symptoms: Headache, fever, Nausea, or Vomiting.

oLater Symptoms: Stiff neck, confusion, lack of attention to people and surroundings, seizures, hallucinations, and coma.

• Vulnerability: Recent cases indicate that children are more vulnerable to the infection.
• Non-Contagious Nature: The infection does not spread from person to person, nor does swallowing water containing the amoeba cause the infection.
• Treatment: Combination of drugs, often including amphotericin B, azithromycin, fluconazole, rifampin, miltefosine, and dexamethasone.