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20th September 2024 (8 Topics)

Amoebic Meningoencephalitis

Context

Kerala has recently faced a worrying surge in cases of amoebic meningoencephalitis, particularly affecting young children during the summer months.

Amoebic Meningoencephalitis

  • Amebic encephalitis is a rare but lethal central nervous system
  • It is caused by free-living amoebae (FLA) found in freshwater bodies.
  • There are 2 types of amebic encephalitis, namely primary meningoencephalitis and granulomatous amebic encephalitis (GAE).
    • Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM): It is most commonly caused by Naegleria fowleri, this infection attacks brain tissue, leading to severe swelling and a high fatality rate, typically between 97% and 100%. Initial symptoms resemble those of bacterial meningitis, complicating timely diagnosis.
    • Granulomatous Amoebic Encephalitis (GAE): It is caused by other amoebae like Acanthamoeba, this form progresses more slowly but is also often fatal.
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