Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM)

South Korea has recently reported the first case of Naegleria fowleri, a rare and deadly brain-eating amoeba.

What are Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM):

1. What is PAM?
   1. A rare and typically fatal infection of the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord).
2. Cause:
   1. Caused by Naegleria fowleri, a free-living amoeba found in shallow surface waters, improperly maintained swimming pools, hot tubs, and spas, especially in warm climates.
   2. The amoeba enters the brain through the nose when individuals swim in contaminated warm, fresh water.
3. Symptoms:
   1. Symptoms appear within five days of infection and progress rapidly.
   2. Early symptoms include fever, headache, vomiting, and sensitivity to light.
   3. Later stages may involve a stiff neck, seizures, hallucinations, and even coma.
4. Treatment:
   1. No standard treatments exist for PAM.
   2. Combination therapy using anti-parasitic medications offers the most promise.
5. Distinction from Granulomatous Amebic Encephalitis:
   1. PAM differs from granulomatous amebic encephalitis, another rare and usually fatal infection of the central nervous system caused by different free-living amoebas, such as Acanthamoeba species or Balamuthia mandrillaris.

Amoeba: A General Term

1. Amoeba refers to single-celled organisms belonging to the biological kingdom Protista.
2. Amoebas are eukaryotic microorganisms characterized by shape-shifting abilities and movement using pseudopods.

 

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