see the types present and the health hazards

Recently, a 1-year-old girl died as a result of a super-rare amoeba, the Naegleria fowleri. The microorganism was found in water with which the child had contact in the city of Caucaia, metropolitan region of Fortaleza. The disease caused by the protozoan is called “meningoencephalitis” and intrigues authorities, who are investigating how the infection occurred.

The case has also raised questions about the microorganisms that can inhabit the water we come into contact with, whether for hydration, bathing or fun. Continue reading and learn more about the topic below.

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What are amoebas and why do they infect other living things?

Amoebas are unicellular protozoa belonging to the rhizopede group, also known as sarcodinas. They can be found in three types: free-living, commensal or parasites.

Free-living species can be found in fresh and salt water. Diners live in the human body without causing health problems. On the other hand, there are parasites, which cause harm to human health. This is the case of Entamoeba histolyticawhich inhabits the intestine and causes Amebiasis, causing diarrhea and, in more serious situations, compromising organs and tissues, which can lead to death.

Amoeba that victimized the child in Ceará

The case of the child who died is related to the Naegleria fowleriknown as brain-eating amoeba. It is usually found in the ground and in warm fresh water, such as lakes, rivers and hot springs.

Infection by this amoeba can be caused when the water it is in enters the person's nose. This usually happens when someone swims, dives, or puts their head under freshwater sources. Furthermore, humans can still become infected by cleaning their nose with contaminated water, even if it is from the tap.

Upon entering the human body, it rises to the brain and detonates brain tissue, causing primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (MAP), a disease that is usually fatal. In the United States, for example, the mortality rate is 97%.

Symptoms of primary amoebic meningoencephalitis

Initially, it brings symptoms similar to bacterial meningitis, such as fever, headache, nausea and vomiting. They usually appear about five days after infection. Afterwards, mental confusion, inattention to people and places, stiff neck, hallucinations, convulsions and coma may appear.

Prevention

The disease caused by brain-eating amoeba is very rare. In an interview with TV Verdes Mares, a Rede Globo affiliate in Ceará, the executive secretary of Health Surveillance, Antonio Silva Lima Neto (Tanta), stated that in Brazil, there are no official records of cases, only reports. However, it is essential to prevent it. But after all, how can prevention be carried out?

The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that people avoid jumping or diving into freshwater areas that are warm. Furthermore, it is important to keep your head out of the water in these environments. Places with hot springs and other untreated water should also be avoided. Furthermore, it is best to never dig or stir up sediment in warm, shallow fresh water.

It is worth noting that the amoeba can also be found in hot water discharges from industrial or power generation plants, as well as in different recreational environments, such as swimming pools that do not have enough chlorine.

Furthermore, in general, to avoid contamination by an amoeba, it is essential to maintain hygiene and adopt basic sanitation measures.

What was done in the case of Ceará?

In Ceará, the suspicion is that the child was infected after taking a bath. As the executive secretary stated, it is possible that the water passed through a reservoir and heated naturally through the soil, which probably favored reproduction.

In this case, it is up to government agencies to take more care with the location and water treatment. Then, the water from the reservoir that supplied the residence where the child lived was analyzed and the amoeba was identified.

4 microorganisms that can live in your water

In addition to the aforementioned Naegleria fowleri or brain-eating amoeba, below check out a list of 4 microorganisms that could be in your water and you wouldn't even imagine.

Entamoeba histolytica

This is an intestinal amoeba that causes amebiasis, a gastrointestinal disease that causes fever, bloody stools or whitish secretions, severe diarrhea and chills. It causes infection through fecal contamination of human drinking water and food containing its cysts.

The disease caused can be treated, but it is necessary to go to the doctor as soon as the symptoms begin, as if it develops further, it can cause complications and even lead to death.

Acanthamoeba

This is a species of amoeba that can cause chronic diseases and amoebic keratitis, which is usually transmitted through contact lenses, especially when swimming or using non-sterile cleaning. This amoeba can transmit amoebic keratitis, also known as corneal ulcer keratitis, which causes serious damage to a person's vision.

THE Acanthamoeba It is an amoeba present in water, soil, sewage and even dust, and can be found in tap water, showers, hot tubs and air conditioning units. To prevent the disease, the ideal is to avoid washing lenses with tap water, not using them while showering and washing your hands thoroughly before handling them.

Balamuthia mandrillaris

Present in soil and fresh water, Balamuthia mandrillaris is a free-living amoeba that can infect humans and cause serious infections in the central nervous system, such as granulomatous amoebic encephalitis, which can lead to death. The most common symptoms are changes in mental status, seizures and headache. In addition, ulcerative skin lesions may occur.

This amoeba is present in two forms in nature: cyst and trophozoite, both of which can generate infections in humans through the respiratory tract or open wounds on the skin.

Sappinia pedata

Another type of amoeba is the Sappiniavery similar to the Acanthamoeba and Balamuthia. It also has two stages: cysts and trophozoites. Furthermore, it is believed that the way it enters the human body is through the skin or respiratory tract. It also causes severe damage to a person's central nervous system.