Question

Following are the details of a rare but deadly brain infection reported recently in Northern Kerala. Which of the following statements are wrong ?

1. The disease is known as amoebic meningoencephalitis.
2. Caused by the pathogen entamoeba hystolitica.
3. Caused by Naegleria fowleri
4. Usually, fatal infection of the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord)

• A. ii only wrong
• B. ii, iv wrong
• C. i, ii wrong
• D. All are wrong

Answer 1

Answer:

A. ii only wrong

Naegleria fowleri:

• Naegleria fowleri is an amoeba that thrives in warm freshwater lakes, ponds and rivers.
• It can also survive in poorly maintained swimming pools in rare cases.
• As it can infect the brain and destroy the tissues there, this one-celled organism is also called ‘brain-eating amoeba’.

Primary amoebic meningoencephalitis or PAM:

• Primary amoebic meningoencephalitis or PAM is is a rare brain infection caused by Naegleria fowleri. These infections, though rare, are fatal and 97% of the patients don’t survive.
• The infection happens when people go for a swim in lakes, ponds or rivers, during the summer. More usually in warm stagnant and unhygienic water resources.

Mode of infection:

• The amoeba enters the body through the nose and reaches the brain.
• As infects the brain and destroy the brain tissues along with swelling of the brain.
• The infection does not spread from people to people nor by drinking water contaminated with the amoeba.

Symptoms:

• Headache, fever, nausea and vomiting are its early symptoms.
• Stiff neck, confusion, lack of attention to people and surroundings, loss of balance and hallucinations are the later symptoms.