While the hospital authorities informed about Amoebic meningoencephalitis case on Monday, the state health department is yet to respond.
A child in a hospital. Representation image. (iStock)
After the five-year-old girl, who lost her life to the rare brain disease—Amoebic meningoencephalitis—in May, the disease claimed another life.
This time a 13-year-old girl fell victim to it. Dakshina, a native of Kannur first showed the symptoms on 8 May, after which she was being treated at Baby Memorial Hospital in Kozhikode.
Dakshina succumbed to the rare infection on 12 June. According to doctors, the girl was infected with vermamoeba vermiformis, one of the most prevalent free-living amoeba.
While the hospital authorities informed about the case on Monday, 24 June, the state health department is yet to respond.
The amoeba might have entered the teenager’s body from a swimming pool which she accessed while on a tour from school on 28 January.
A case of amoebic meningoencephalitis was reported in Alappuzha in Kerala in July 2023.
The doctors stated that more studies are needed as death usually occurs within five days (might range from one to 18 days) of the start of symptoms.
People get infected as the amoeba enters the body through the nose, usually while swimming. The amoeba travels up the nose to the brain where it destroys the brain tissue and causes swelling of the brain.
Amoebic meningoencephalitis is a rare and often fatal neurological disease caused by the free-living amoeba.
Meningitis and encephalitis are types of brain fever caused by various infections, including viral herpes, TB meningitis, pneumococcal meningitis, and fungal meningitis.
“One particular type of brain fever is caused by a protozoa infection affecting the brain’s protective coverings, known as the meninges. The term ‘meningo’ refers to the brain covering, while ‘encephalitis’ pertains to the brain,” said Apollo Hospitals in Hyderabad neurologist Dr Sudhir Kumar.
The free-living amoeba is commonly found in warm freshwater environments, such as lakes, hot springs, and poorly-maintained swimming pools. The amoeba enters the body through the nose, and it then travels to the brain where it causes infection and inflammation.
The initial symptoms include:
Later symptoms include:
After the start of symptoms, the disease progresses rapidly and usually causes death within about five days (range 1 to 18 days).
It primarily affects healthy individuals, most commonly children and young adults who have been exposed to contaminated water during activities like swimming or diving. However, the infection is not transmissible.
Encephalitis is initially diagnosed with the help of CTs and MRIs are conducted to obtain a clear understanding of the condition.
However, to identify the specific causative agent, a lumbar puncture, also known as a spinal tap, is performed. This medical procedure involves inserting a needle into the spinal canal to collect cerebrospinal fluid for diagnostic testing.
The primary purpose of a lumbar puncture is to aid in the diagnosis of central nervous system diseases affecting the brain and spine.
“The collected cerebrospinal fluid is then sent to three different departments: Pathology, Biochemistry, and Microbiology. In the Microbiology department, experts examine the fluid under a microscope to identify any parasites present, thus confirming the specific causative agent of encephalitis,” Dr Sudhir Kumar had said.
Unfortunately, the prognosis for Amoebic meningoencephalitis is extremely poor, with a high fatality rate. The infection progresses rapidly and, if left untreated, it can lead to death within a matter of days.
Immediate medical attention is crucial in increasing the chances of survival. Treatment options include aggressive use of antifungal and antimicrobial drugs, as well as measures to reduce brain swelling and inflammation.
(Edited by Sumavarsha Kandula, with inputs from Dileep V Kumar.)
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