Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM)

News: The Health department in Kozhikode, Kerala, has issued an alert against primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) in the district in view of the reporting of three cases of the infection and a death here in recent days.

About Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM)

• It is a rare but lethal central nervous system infection
• Caused by: It is caused by Naegleria fowleri, known as the “brain eating amoeba”.
  • It is a free-living amoeba found in warm, fresh water and soil, and infects people when it enters the body through the nose.
• Risk factors: Risk factors for infection include swimming, diving, waterskiing, surfing, and exposure to hot springs.
• Season/region of vulnerability: PAM is more common in warmer regions and generally occurs in the warmer months of spring and summer, possibly due to the increased likelihood of participation in waterborne activities.
• Symptoms: Symptoms include headache, fever, nausea, and vomiting.
• Testing and diagnosis: PAM is difficult to diagnose because of the rarity of the infection and the non-specific early symptoms.
• Prevention: People should focus on limiting the amount of water going up the nose.
• Treatment and recovery: Several drugs are effective, however, their effectiveness is unclear since almost all infections have been deadly, even when people were treated.
• Cases in India: The first case of PAM in India was reported in 1971, and the first case in Kerala was reported in 2016.

Note:

Amoebic Encephalitis

• There are 2 types of amebic encephalitis –
  • Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM)
  • Granulomatous Amoebic Encephalitis (GAE).
• The initial symptoms of PAM are indistinguishable from bacterial meningitis, while the symptoms of GAE can mimic a brain abscess, encephalitis, or meningitis.
• These infections are almost uniformly fatal.
• The mortality rate is above 90%, despite antimicrobial therapy.