Brain-eating Amoeba

On 26^th December, 2022, South Korea reported its first case of infection from Naegleria fowleri or ‘brain-eating amoeba’.

• Naegleria fowleri is found in all continents and is declared as the cause of primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), a dangerous brain infection, in over 16 countries, including India.

About Naegleria fowleri: Naegleria is an amoeba, a single-celled organism, and only one of its species, Naegleria fowleri, can infect humans.

• It was first discovered in Australia in 1965 and is commonly found in warm freshwater bodies, such as hot springs, rivers and lakes.

Concerns: With the rising global temperatures, the chances of getting Naegleria fowleri infection will go up as the amoeba mainly thrives in warm freshwater bodies.

• The organism best grows in high temperatures up to 46°C and sometimes can survive at even higher temperatures.