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The Hindu
12 hours ago
- Health
- The Hindu
Kerala Health dept. denies delay in diagnosing and treating amoebic meningoencephalitis
The Health department has brushed aside speculations that there is inordinate delay in diagnosing amoebic meningoencephalitis in the State as samples are being sent to the State Public Health Lab. In a statement here on Wednesday, the Health department said that the microbiology lab at the Kozhikode Medical College Hospital had the facility to check cerebrospinal fluid samples and make the presumptive diagnosis that it was a trophozoite causing the encephalitis and treatment is initiated as soon as this happens. The samples are sent to the State Public Health Lab only for confirmatory diagnosis and for identifying the amoeba species responsible for the infection and in no way it delays treatment initiation, it said. However, when testing for the presence of amoeba in water samples, often repeat tests and culture tests have to be done, which could take time. Only 5 labs in country Only five laboratories in the country have the facilities for molecular diagnosis (PCR) of amoebic encephalitis and most of these labs have only facilities to identify three amoeba species that cause infections in humans. Since June, the State Public Health Laboratory has had molecular diagnostic facilities to identify five common species of free living amoeba which are toxic to humans and which can cause amoebic meningoencephalitis. Hence the State no longer depends on diagnostic facilities outside the State, such as PGI Chandigarh, for confirmatory diagnosis of amoebic meningoencephalitis. Only 6 pathogenic 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 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. The State has already initiated steps to develop confirmatory molecular diagnostic facilities for amoebic encephalitis in the Kozhikode lab also, the statement said. After amoebic meningoencephalitis cases began to be reported on a fairly regular basis, the Health department had issued a directive that all acute encephalitis syndrome samples be tested for amoebic encephalitis too. Which was the reason more cases of amoebic encephalitis are being diagnosed and treated in the State, significantly bringing down the mortality rate of the disease.
Time of India
06-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
New lab diagnoses amoebic brain fever, a first in state
T'puram: In a significant development, the state confirmed its first case of amoebic meningoencephalitis through the newly established molecular lab in the state. Health Minister Veena George announced that the diagnosis was made as part of a dedicated effort to detect amoebic brain fever, a rare but often fatal condition. State public health lab (SPHL) earlier set up a PCR lab capable of detecting five types of amoebae known to cause brain fever in humans — Naegleria fowleri, Acanthamoeba sp., Vermamoeba vermiformis, Balamuthia mandrillaris, and Paravahlkampfia francinae. The first confirmed detection was of Acanthamoeba, which was successfully identified and verified through this new facility. Previously, such cases were confirmed at PGI Chandigarh. With in-state confirmation now possible, the minister said it would greatly aid both treatment and research efforts. The minister further said that state has been implementing model interventions in the prevention of amoebic meningoencephalitis. Globally, the disease has a mortality rate of 97%, but Kerala reduced this to 23% through systematic efforts and timely, effective treatment. This success was achieved through structured actions and prompt care. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Pinga-Pinga e HBP? Tome isso 1x ao dia se tem mais de 40 anos Portal Saúde do Homem Clique aqui Undo State also updated its action plan based on the 'One Health' approach to enhance prevention strategies against amoebae. A comprehensive action plan has been prepared to manage the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of the disease. All suspected cases of brain fever in state are now directed to undergo tests for amoebic meningoencephalitis. In addition to SPHL, the microbiology departments of Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode medical colleges will be developed as specialized centres for diagnosing the disease. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Eid wishes , messages , and quotes !
