Why in news?
Health officials in Kerala have detected the presence of Naegleria fowleri, the amoeba that causes primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), a rare brain infection.
 
About

• Naegleria fowleri is a free-living, single-celled organism commonly known as the brain-eating amoeba.
• It thrives in warm freshwater environments such as lakes, rivers, hot springs, and sometimes in poorly maintained swimming pools and domestic water supplies.
• This amoeba does not require a host to survive and typically feeds on bacteria; however, it can become pathogenic in humans.

How It Infects

• Infection occurs when contaminated water enters the nose—most often during swimming or diving in warm freshwater. Once in the nasal cavity, Naegleria fowleri migrates along the olfactory nerve to the brain, causing a highly fatal condition called Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM).
• Swallowing contaminated water does not cause infection; only nasal exposure does.

Symptoms and Outcome

• Early symptoms of PAM include headache, fever, nausea, and vomiting.
• The infection progresses rapidly, leading to stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, hallucinations, and ultimately coma and death—usually within 1–18 days after symptom onset.
• The disease is almost always fatal; in the U.S. between 1962 and 2024, only four out of 167 reported cases survived.

Biological Details

• Forms: Exists as cysts (dormant), trophozoites (feeding), and biflagellates (motile).
• Habitat: Warm water with abundant bacteria, soil, and locations with human disturbance or contaminated tap water.
• Thermophilic: Can survive and multiply at elevated temperatures up to 45°C.

Prevention

• Do not swim or dive in warm, untreated freshwater.
• Minimize water going up the nose.
• Use properly maintained swimming pools/chlorinated water.
• Only use sterile or distilled water for nasal rinsing devices.

Summary
While Naegleria fowleri is rare, its infection is deadly and swift. Preventive measures are important when dealing with warm freshwater activities or nasal rinsing practices.

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