What is primary amebic meningoencephalitis ?
The first woman to win a Nobel Prize was Marie Curie. She won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1903, which she shared with her husband Pierre Curie and physicist Henri Becquerel for their work on radioactivity. Later, she won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1911 for her discovery of radium and poloniumRead more
The first woman to win a Nobel Prize was Marie Curie. She won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1903, which she shared with her husband Pierre Curie and physicist Henri Becquerel for their work on radioactivity. Later, she won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1911 for her discovery of radium and polonium, making her the first person to win two Nobel Prizes in different scientific fields.
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Primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) is a rare, usually fatal brain infection caused by the amoeba Naegleria fowleri. This free-living amoeba is commonly found in warm freshwater environments like lakes, rivers, and hot springs, as well as in poorly maintained pools or contaminated water supplieRead more
Primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) is a rare, usually fatal brain infection caused by the amoeba Naegleria fowleri. This free-living amoeba is commonly found in warm freshwater environments like lakes, rivers, and hot springs, as well as in poorly maintained pools or contaminated water supplies.
PAM occurs when the amoeba enters the body through the nose, typically during activities like swimming or diving. From there, it travels to the brain, causing severe inflammation of the brain and its surrounding membranes (meningoencephalitis). Symptoms usually start within 1–9 days and include headache, fever, nausea, vomiting, stiff neck, confusion, seizures, and coma. The infection progresses rapidly, often leading to death within days if untreated.
Diagnosis is challenging and typically involves detecting the amoeba in cerebrospinal fluid or brain tissue, often confirmed posthumously. Treatment is difficult due to the rapid progression and limited effective drugs, but regimens may include antifungal and antimicrobial agents like amphotericin B, miltefosine, and others, with supportive care. Survival is rare, with only a few documented cases globally.
Prevention focuses on avoiding exposure: using nose clips while swimming in warm freshwater, ensuring proper pool maintenance, and avoiding untreated water for nasal irrigation. The CDC and WHO emphasize that PAM is not contagious and cannot be contracted from drinking contaminated water.
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