State public health lab develops molecular tests to identify deadly amoeba
The State Public Health Laboratory, one of the apex referral laboratories in the State, has developed its own molecular diagnostic test kits to identify five common species of free living amoeba (FLA) which are toxic to humans and which can cause amoebic meningoencephalitis. A highly fatal brain infection, cases of amoebic meningoencephalitis are being reported frequently in Kerala now.
'It was a proud moment for us when we identified Acanthamoeba spp. as the pathogenic organism in one of the acute encephalitis syndrome (AES) samples that we received from the Thiruvananthapuram Government Medical College on Thursday. It was also the first human sample in which we could identify the organism, after we developed the molecular diagnostic test kits six months ago,' says S. Sunija, Director of the State PH Lab.
Early identification of the pathogen and treatment are crucial for saving lives when it comes to amoebic meningoencephalitis. Now that the PH lab has developed its own molecular (PCR) assays for identifying the pathogenic organism in human samples, Kerala no longer needs to depend on prime diagnostic facilities outside the State, such as PGI Chandigarh, for confirmatory diagnosis of amoebic meningoencephalitis.
Over 400 species
Though there are over 400 species of free living amoeba in the environment, only six have been documented to be pathogenic to humans. The State PH lab is also the only lab which has the ability to identify five of these toxic organisms — Naegleria fowleri, Acanthamoeba spp., Vermamoeba vermiformis, Balamuthia mandrillaris and Paravahlkampfia francinae.
'Till now, through the microbiological examination of cerebrospinal fluid samples, we could make only a presumptive diagnosis that it was a trophozoite causing the encephalitis. Naegleria fowleri being the one that causes the most fatal disease, our protocol was to start the patient on the drug cocktail for N. fowleri immediately. But now that the pathogen can be identified and confirmed early, we can optimise the drugs and give targeted treatment to the patient without delay,' says R. Aravind, Head of Infectious Diseases, Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram.
To labs outside the State
Ever since the State began reporting cases of amoebic encephalitis, the lack of confirmatory diagnosis for identifying the causative organism had been a huge challenge. Sending the samples to labs outside the State in proper condition and getting a diagnosis was time consuming.
It was when cases began to be reported on a fairly regular basis — especially since the State issued a directive that all AES samples be tested for amoebic encephalitis too — that the State PH lab was assigned the task of developing molecular test kits for identifying the trophozoite.
'Free living amoeba is an ubiquitous organism found in the environment and till Thursday we had been testing only environmental samples. This is the first time we could identify Acanthamoeba in one of the patient samples,' Dr. Sunija says.
However, testing water samples from the environment becomes important if the organism found in the human samples is Naegleria fowleri. In that case, the waterbody implicated will have to be tested and public warning issued to avoid it.
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Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
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A woman in Texas died after contracting a deadly brain infection from a microscopic amoeba in tap water used for a nasal rinse, U.S. health officials have confirmed. The 71-year-old was reportedly staying at a local campground and had used water from her RV's tap in a nasal irrigation device. Just four days later, she developed severe neurological symptoms and died within eight days of falling ill. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified the infection as primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), caused by Naegleria fowleri — a rare but nearly always fatal amoeba. 'This case reinforces the potential for serious health risks associated with improper use of nasal irrigation devices, as well as the importance of maintaining RV water quality and ensuring that municipal water systems adhere to regulatory standards,' the CDC stated. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Experience next-level CPAP comfort with Resmed AirSense 11 ResMed Enquire Now Undo What is Naegleria fowleri? Naegleria fowleri is a single-celled organism that lives in warm freshwater bodies such as lakes, rivers, and hot springs. It can also survive in poorly maintained swimming pools and untreated tap water. It is referred to as a "brain-eating amoeba" because, once it enters through the nose, it travels along the olfactory nerve into the brain, where it destroys brain tissue. Despite its terrifying name, the amoeba is extremely rare. Between 1962 and 2023, only 164 cases were recorded in the U.S., with just four known survivors. Live Events Tammy Lundstrom, Chief Medical Officer and infectious disease expert at Trinity Health, told Fox News Digital, 'The risk of brain-eating amoeba is very low. Fewer than 10 people in the U.S. every year get infected — but unfortunately, most cases are fatal. There are only a handful of survivors of known cases.' How the woman got infected The CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report detailed that the woman had used a nasal irrigation device multiple times over four days. It was filled with unboiled tap water from the RV's internal plumbing. After symptoms such as fever, headache and altered mental status emerged, she was hospitalised and treated for a suspected PAM infection. However, her condition rapidly worsened. She suffered seizures and died eight days after the symptoms began. Testing of her cerebrospinal fluid confirmed the presence of Naegleria fowleri. Although the amoeba itself was not detected in the RV water supply, investigators found the system had not been adequately disinfected. Symptoms to watch for Early symptoms of PAM often appear within five days of exposure, though onset can range from one to 12 days. These include: Headache Fever Nausea Vomiting As the infection advances, it can cause: Confusion Stiff neck Seizures Hallucinations Coma 'Early symptoms should prompt a medical evaluation, as they are also signs of bacterial meningitis,' said Lundstrom. The disease progresses swiftly. On average, death occurs five days after symptoms begin, but it can happen in as little as one day or as long as 18. How to protect yourself The CDC advises that only sterile, distilled or previously boiled and cooled water should be used for nasal rinsing. Improperly treated water, especially from RVs or municipal systems lacking adequate disinfection, can pose a risk. 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Though infections are rare, families are urged to take simple precautions. Use sterile water for nasal care. Be cautious in warm freshwater environments. And remember, the amoeba doesn't pose a risk in saltwater or from drinking. 'Millions of people enjoy swimming every summer, but only a few become infected,' said Lundstrom. 'Awareness and prevention are your best tools.'
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A woman in Texas died after contracting a deadly brain infection from a microscopic amoeba in tap water used for a nasal rinse, U.S. health officials have 71-year-old was reportedly staying at a local campground and had used water from her RV's tap in a nasal irrigation device. Just four days later, she developed severe neurological symptoms and died within eight days of falling ill. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified the infection as primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), caused by Naegleria fowleri — a rare but nearly always fatal amoeba.'This case reinforces the potential for serious health risks associated with improper use of nasal irrigation devices, as well as the importance of maintaining RV water quality and ensuring that municipal water systems adhere to regulatory standards,' the CDC fowleri is a single-celled organism that lives in warm freshwater bodies such as lakes, rivers, and hot springs. It can also survive in poorly maintained swimming pools and untreated tap water. It is referred to as a "brain-eating amoeba" because, once it enters through the nose, it travels along the olfactory nerve into the brain, where it destroys brain its terrifying name, the amoeba is extremely rare. Between 1962 and 2023, only 164 cases were recorded in the U.S., with just four known Lundstrom, Chief Medical Officer and infectious disease expert at Trinity Health, told Fox News Digital, 'The risk of brain-eating amoeba is very low. Fewer than 10 people in the U.S. every year get infected — but unfortunately, most cases are fatal. There are only a handful of survivors of known cases.'The CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report detailed that the woman had used a nasal irrigation device multiple times over four days. It was filled with unboiled tap water from the RV's internal plumbing. After symptoms such as fever, headache and altered mental status emerged, she was hospitalised and treated for a suspected PAM her condition rapidly worsened. She suffered seizures and died eight days after the symptoms began. Testing of her cerebrospinal fluid confirmed the presence of Naegleria the amoeba itself was not detected in the RV water supply, investigators found the system had not been adequately symptoms of PAM often appear within five days of exposure, though onset can range from one to 12 days. These include:As the infection advances, it can cause:'Early symptoms should prompt a medical evaluation, as they are also signs of bacterial meningitis,' said disease progresses swiftly. On average, death occurs five days after symptoms begin, but it can happen in as little as one day or as long as CDC advises that only sterile, distilled or previously boiled and cooled water should be used for nasal rinsing. Improperly treated water, especially from RVs or municipal systems lacking adequate disinfection, can pose a swimming, experts recommend keeping your head above water or using a nose clip. 'Infection occurs when water harbouring the amoeba goes up a person's nose, usually during swimming,' Lundstrom explained. 'It is not known why some people get infected and others, even swimming companions, do not.'Drinking contaminated water is not a risk factor, as the infection only occurs via nasal exposure. It also does not spread between the amoeba thrives in warm temperatures — typically over 30°C — and can survive in sediment, swimmers are advised not to disturb the bottom of lakes or fowleri has three life stages: cyst, trophozoite (the active stage), and flagellate. The active form can infect humans but under less favourable conditions, it reverts to a cyst and clings to surfaces in plumbing or grows best at temperatures up to 46°C and can survive briefly even in hotter conditions. Most infections occur in southern U.S. states, though cases are being reported further north — possibly linked to climate limit the spread, many southern utilities perform annual chlorine burns at the start of summer to flush out biofilms where the amoeba might options are limited due to the rapid progression and severity of PAM. Doctors typically use antifungal and antibiotic drugs, such as rifampin and azithromycin, alongside miltefosine, a newer antifungal that has shown some promise in lab Lundstrom cautioned, 'The effect of all of these drugs on actual infected people is unknown due to the high fatality rate.'Prompt diagnosis remains difficult because early symptoms resemble other, more common warmest months are when Naegleria fowleri is most active, especially in southern regions. Splash pads, lakes, and even backyard kiddie pools can become risky if water is left untreated or infections are rare, families are urged to take simple precautions. Use sterile water for nasal care. Be cautious in warm freshwater environments. And remember, the amoeba doesn't pose a risk in saltwater or from drinking.'Millions of people enjoy swimming every summer, but only a few become infected,' said Lundstrom. 'Awareness and prevention are your best tools.'
Time of India
10 hours ago
- Time of India
New lab diagnoses amoebic brain fever, a first in state
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