Brain-Eating Amoeba (Naegleria fowleri / मस्तिष्क खाने वाला अमीबा) एक rare और deadly free-living amoeba है।
- यह मुख्य रूप से freshwater lakes, rivers, hot springs, और poorly chlorinated swimming pools में पाया जाता है।
- Infection बहुत rare है लेकिन extremely fatal, fatality rate लगभग 97% reported है।
- इसे Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM) भी कहते हैं।
Brain-Eating Amoeba क्या है (What is Brain-Eating Amoeba)
- Single-celled protozoan pathogen
- Enters through nose while swimming or diving in contaminated water
- Travels along olfactory nerve to brain
- Causes rapidly progressive brain inflammation (meningoencephalitis)
- Death usually occurs within 1–2 weeks of symptom onset
Brain-Eating Amoeba कारण (Causes of Brain-Eating Amoeba Infection)
1. Environmental Exposure
- Warm freshwater bodies: lakes, ponds, rivers
- Hot springs and poorly maintained pools
2. Nasal Entry
- Amoeba enters through nasal cavity
- Travels via olfactory nerve to brain
3. Risk Factors
- Swimming or diving in contaminated water
- Nasal irrigation with unsterilized water
- Rarely in immunocompromised individuals
Brain-Eating Amoeba लक्षण (Symptoms of Brain-Eating Amoeba Infection)
Symptoms appear 1–9 days after exposure and progress rapidly:
- Severe headache
- Fever and nausea
- Vomiting
- Stiff neck
- Confusion, hallucinations, seizures
- Loss of balance and coordination
- Coma in advanced stage
Rapid progression is hallmark; early detection is difficult।
Brain-Eating Amoeba कैसे पहचाने (Diagnosis of Brain-Eating Amoeba)
- Clinical History – recent freshwater exposure or nasal irrigation
- Lumbar Puncture (CSF Analysis) – elevated WBC, low glucose, amoebae visualization
- PCR / Culture – detect Naegleria fowleri DNA in CSF
- Imaging (MRI/CT) – brain swelling, meningoencephalitis features
Diagnosis is often post-mortem, early suspicion crucial for treatment।
Brain-Eating Amoeba इलाज (Treatment of Brain-Eating Amoeba Infection)
1. Antimicrobial Therapy
- Amphotericin B (IV and intrathecal) – primary treatment
- Azoles (fluconazole, voriconazole) and miltefosine – adjunct therapy
- Rifampin and azithromycin may be used
2. Supportive Care
- Intensive care for intracranial pressure
- Mechanical ventilation if needed
- Fluids and electrolyte management
3. Prognosis
- Extremely poor; very few survivors reported
- Early aggressive therapy can sometimes save life
Early recognition and immediate treatment critical for survival।
रोकथाम (Prevention)
- Avoid swimming in warm freshwater lakes or rivers during summer
- Use nose clips if swimming/diving in warm freshwater
- Avoid using unsterilized water for nasal irrigation or sinus rinse
- Maintain proper chlorination of pools
- Educate public on risk in endemic areas
सावधानियाँ (Precautions)
- Do not immerse head in potentially contaminated water
- Avoid diving or jumping in warm stagnant freshwater
- Seek immediate medical care if headache, fever, nausea, or neurological symptoms develop after exposure
- Maintain hygiene and safe water practices
FAQs (अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले प्रश्न)
Q1. Brain-eating amoeba infection कितनी common है?
यह बहुत rare है, लेकिन fatality rate extremely high है।
Q2. क्या यह व्यक्ति से व्यक्ति में फैलता है?
नहीं, यह infection contaminated water exposure से होता है, person-to-person transmission नहीं।
Q3. Infection से बचने का सबसे अच्छा तरीका क्या है?
Nose clip use, avoid swimming in warm freshwater, proper pool chlorination।
Q4. क्या कोई vaccine है?
नहीं, फिलहाल कोई approved vaccine उपलब्ध नहीं है।
निष्कर्ष (Conclusion)
Brain-Eating Amoeba (Naegleria fowleri / मस्तिष्क खाने वाला अमीबा) एक rare लेकिन extremely fatal pathogen है।
Prevention, early suspicion, immediate medical attention और aggressive antimicrobial therapy ही survival के लिए critical हैं।
अगर किसी को recent freshwater exposure के बाद severe headache, fever या neurological symptoms हो, तो तुरंत emergency medical care जरूरी है।