Naegleria fowleri or Brain-eating amoeba

  • IASbaba
  • December 29, 2022
  • 0
Science and Technology
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Context: South Korea reported its first case of infection from Naegleria fowleri or “brain-eating amoeba.

About Naegleria fowleri:

  • Naegleria is a free-living amoeba (a single-celled living organism).
  • It is so small that it can only be seen with a microscope.
  • It is commonly found in warm fresh water (such as lakes, rivers, and hot springs) and soil.
  • Only one species of Naegleria infects people: Naegleria fowleri.
  • The organism best grows in high temperatures up to 46°C and sometimes can survive at even higher temperatures.
  • In very rare instances, people have gotten Naegleria fowleri infections from recreational water that didn’t have enough chlorine in it, such as pools, splash pads, or surf parks.
  • There is no evidence that Naegleria fowleri can spread through water vapor or aerosol droplets (such as shower mist or vapor from a humidifier).
  • People cannot be infected with Naegleria fowleri by drinking contaminated water.
  • Treatment: At present, doctors treat it with a combination of drugs, including amphotericin B, azithromycin, fluconazole, rifampin, miltefosine, and dexamethasone.

Source: Indian Express

Previous Year Question

Q.1) Consider the following:

  1. Bacteria
  2. Fungi
  3. Virus

Which of the above can be cultured in an artificial/ synthetic medium? (2021)

  1. 1 and 2 only
  2. 2 and 3 only
  3. 1 and 3 only
  4. 1,2 and 3

Q.2) Which of the following statements is/are correct?  (2016)

Viruses can infect

  1. bacteria
  2. fungi
  3. plants

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

  1. 1 and 2 only
  2. 3 only
  3. 1 and 3 only
  4. 1, 2 and 3

 

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