Knowledge nugget of the day: Brain-eating amoeba

Key Takeaways :

1. PAM is a non-communicable rare brain infection that is caused by Naegleria fowleri. Naegleria is an amoeba, a single-celled organism, and only one of its species, called Naegleria fowleri, can infect humans, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It is a free-living amoeba and was first discovered in Australia in 1965.

2. Naegleria fowleri lives in warm fresh water, such as lakes and rivers, swimming pools, splash pads, surf parks, or other recreational venues that are poorly maintained or minimally chlorinated.

3. The amoeba infects people when it enters the body through the nose, usually when people are swimming. It then travels up to the brain, where it destroys the brain tissue and causes a primary amebic meningoencephalitis.

Naegleria fowleri grows best at higher temperatures and can survive for short periods at higher temperatures. (Source: Getty Images)

4. Interestingly, people cannot get infected with Naegleria fowleri from drinking water contaminated with the amoeba. Scientists haven’t found any evidence of the spreading of Naegleria fowleri through water vapour or aerosol droplets.

5. The initial symptoms of PAM include headache, fever, nausea, and vomiting. Later on, the patient may experience a stiff neck, confusion, seizures, hallucinations, and slip into a coma.

“Most people with PAM die within 1 to 18 days after symptoms begin. It usually leads to coma and death after 5 days.” According to the US CDC

6. Scientists have not yet identified any effective treatments for the disease. Currently, doctors use a combination of drugs, including amphotericin B, azithromycin, fluconazole, rifampin, miltefosine, and dexamethasone for treatment.

7. Preventive measures such as avoiding warm freshwater bodies with inadequate chlorination, using nose clips during water-related activities, and using sterile water for nasal cleansing rituals can help reduce the risk of contracting Naegleria fowleri infection.

8. According to the CDC, with the rising global temperatures, the chances of getting Naegleria fowleri infection will go up as the amoeba mainly thrives in warm freshwater bodies. The organism best grows in high temperatures up to 46°C and sometimes can survive at even higher temperatures.

9. Various recent studies have also found that excess atmospheric carbon dioxide has led to an increase in the temperature of lakes and rivers. According to the the CDC website, “These conditions provide a more favourable environment for the amoeba to grow. Heat waves, when air and water temperatures may be higher than usual, may also allow the amoeba to thrive,”.

BEYOND THE NUGGET: National Fund for Rare Diseases & National Rare Diseases Committee 

10. The Delhi High Court has directed the Union Government to establish the National Fund for Rare Diseases (NFRD) and allocate a sum of Rs 974 crore to the NFRD for the financial years 2024-25, and 2025-26.

11. The Court also said that the National Rare Diseases Committee (NRDC) should continue for five more years. A five-member Committee was constituted on May 15, 2023, to efficiently implement the National Rare Disease Policy-2021.

12. Laying down the mandate for the committee, the Court outlined that the committee shall continue the identification and recognition of rare diseases, ensure that procurement of drugs for the treatment of rare diseases is done at a reasonable and affordable price as well as negotiate prices for bulk purchases, and monitor and promote the development of indigenous rare disease drugs in India.

13. NCRD will also be responsible for periodic reviews of the Rare Diseases Policy and make recommendations to update or refine the policy based on emerging research, treatments, and challenges faced by patients and healthcare providers.

National Rare Disease Policy-2021

14. The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has launched the National Rare Disease Policy-2021 to lower the incidence and prevalence of rare diseases based on an integrated and comprehensive preventive strategy.

15. Presently, 63 rare diseases are included under the National Policy for Rare Diseases on recommendation of the Central Technical Committee for Rare Diseases (CTCRD).

(Sources: What is Naegleria fowleri, which led to a 5-year-old girl’s death in Kerala?, ‘Brain-eating amoeba’ kills South Korean man, Delhi HC directs Centre to set up rare disease fund)

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