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| Brain eating amoeba: Naegleria fowleri |
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So far this summer, three people have died from the amoeba, Naegleria fowleri, now being called the "brain-eating amoeba." Naegleria fowleri is the genus and species name of an ameboflagellate. This particular amoeba causes a serious inflammation of the brain and spinal canal called primary amebic meningo-encephalitis (PAM), mainly affecting children and young adults. The amoeba exists in three scientific forms, free-living cysts, trophozoites, and flagellated forms. Its life cycle is mainly in the cyst to trophozoite to cyst cycle (see image) and resembles other amoeba such as Acanthamoeba. The organism was officially discovered in Australia in 1965 by Drs. M. Fowler (hence the scientific name) and R. Carter. It probably has been occasionally infecting humans, however, for centuries. Fortunately, humans are rarely infected with Naegleria fowleri. Most doctors do not ever see or diagnose this infection in any of their patients. Although the organisms can be found worldwide, mainly in warm waters (lakes, rivers, hot springs, power plant warm water discharge pools) that have loose sediment, are stagnant or contaminated with stirred up bottom sediment, or even in poorly chlorinated swimming pools, only about 121 cases have occurred in the US according to the CDC. Only one person has reportedly survived a diagnosed case of primary amebic meningoencephalitis caused by this parasite. Then the trophozoites simply begin to destroy and consume all types of brain cells (in other words, trophozoites eat the brain). Some trophozoites change forms to become flagellated forms that are rarely, if ever, seen in infected individuals; cyst forms are not seen in infected people. The CDC suggests that Amphotericin B is the drug of choice to treat primary amebic meningoencephalitis but there is no data suggesting this is effective. Prevention seems the best way to avoid this rare "brain eating" disease. Abstaining from all water-related activities can prevent Naegleria infections, but for many people, this simply is not an option. There are other things people can do. * Avoid swimming in still, warm, brackish water that has loose bottom sediment. * Avoid jumping or diving into the same type of water. * Wear a nose clip or hold your nose if you jump or dive into relatively warm water lakes, rivers, pools or other similar bodies of water. The highest incidence of this disease occurs in the hot summer months in children and young adults, with males having the highest incidence of disease. Be careful out there! (Source: medicinenet)
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