All about brain-eating amoeba: Causes, symptoms and prevention strategies

Early symptoms of amoebic meningoencephalitis resemble those of bacterial meningitis and include headache, fever, nausea, vomiting. (Image: Canva)

The brain-eating amoeba, known as Naegleria fowleri, is a rare but deadly organism that causes a disease called amoebic meningoencephalitis. It lives in warm freshwater places like lakes, rivers, ponds, poorly maintained swimming pools, and hot springs. It infects people when contaminated water enters the nose, allowing the amoeba to travel to the brain, where it destroys brain tissue. This infection is rare but almost always fatal and cannot spread from person to person.

Why does it happen

Dr Neha Rastogi Panda, a consultant in infectious diseases at Fortis Memorial Research Institute in Gurugram, explains that the amoeba thrives in warm conditions. Its prevalence increases during hot seasons. Activities like swimming and diving in warm freshwater increase the risk of exposure. Poorly chlorinated swimming pools and inadequately maintained recreational water facilities can also harbor the amoeba.

Symptoms of amoebic meningoencephalitis

Early symptoms of amoebic meningoencephalitis resemble those of bacterial meningitis and includes headache, fever, nausea, vomiting. Later symptoms can include stiffness in neck, confusion, seizures, hallucinations, coma and lack of attention to surroundings. These symptoms typically appear 1 to 12 days after exposure to contaminated water and can worsen rapidly. Most people die within 5 to 18 days after symptoms start.

Prevention tips

To prevent amoebic meningoencephalitis, Dr. Panda suggests avoiding swimming in warm freshwater, especially during hot weather. Use nose clips or hold your nose shut while engaging in water-related activities. Avoid stirring up sediment in shallow, warm freshwater bodies. Ensure swimming pools and hot tubs are properly disinfected and maintained. Use only sterile or distilled water for nasal washing.

Treatment and Prognosis

Primary amoebic meningoencephalitis caused by Naegleria fowleri is extremely rare and lethal, with few survivors. Fast diagnosis and early treatment are crucial. Treatment usually involves a combination of antifungal and antibiotic drugs such as amphotericin B, miltefosine, and azithromycin. Although aggressive treatment can improve chances of survival, the prognosis remains poor.