Growing global threat of brain-eating amoebae in water, environment: Study

The freeliving amoebae also known as braineating amoebae are becoming a growing global public health threat warned a new studyClimate change ageing water infrastructure and gaps in monitoring and detection are making the dangerous group of pathogens lurk freely in water and the environment warned the team of environmental and public health scientists in the article published in the journal BiocontaminantldquoWhat makes these organisms particularly dangerous is their ability to survive conditions that kill many other microbesrdquo said corresponding author Longfei Shu of Sun Yat sen University ChinaldquoThey can tolerate high temperatures strong disinfectants like chlorine and even live inside water distribution systems that people assume are saferdquo Shu addedAmoebae are singlecelled organisms commonly found in soil and water While most are harmless some species can cause devastating infections Among the most notorious is Naegleria fowleri often referred to as the braineating amoeba which can trigger a rare but almost always fatal brain infection after contaminated water enters the nose during activities such as swimming Naegleria fowleri has also contributed to several deaths in Kerala in the recent yearsThe authors also emphasised that amoebae act as hidden carriers for other harmful microbes By sheltering bacteria and viruses inside their cells amoebae can protect these pathogens from disinfection and help them persist and spread in drinking water systems This socalled Trojan horse effect may also contribute to the spread of antibiotic resistanceClimate warming is expected to worsen the problem by expanding the geographic range of heatloving amoebae into regions where they were previously rare Recent outbreaks linked to recreational water use have already raised public concern in several countriesThe researchers called for a coordinated One Health approach that connects human health environmental science and water management They urge stronger surveillance improved diagnostic tools and the adoption of advanced water treatment technologies to reduce risks before infections occurldquoAmoebae are not just a medical issue or an environmental issuerdquo Shu said ldquoThey sit at the intersection of both and addressing them requires integrated solutions that protect public health at its sourcerdquoThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever