Health and Me

Ishita Srivastava

The Invisible “Brain-Eating” Bacteria Lurking in Water Pipes That Can Cause Deadly Infections

Environmental and public health scientists have begun warning against the dangers of having free living amoeba in water systems that are capable of triggering severe diseases in humans.

In a recent perspective article published in <a href="https://scitechdaily.com/scientists-warn-of-an-invisible-brain-eating-threat-lurking-in-water-systems-worldwide/" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow noreferrer" rel= "noopener nofollow noreferrer" target= "_blank">Biocontaminant</a>, the researchers noted that climate change, deteriorating water infrastructure and limited systems for monitoring and detection are the key factors that have allowed these pathogens to spread and persist.

Corresponding author Longfei Shu of Sun Yat sen University explained: "What makes these organisms particularly dangerous is their ability to survive conditions that kill many other microbes.

"They can tolerate high temperatures, strong disinfectants like chlorine and even live inside water distribution systems that people assume are safe."

The scientists also emphasized that not only can amoebae spread illnesses on its own, it can also act as hidden carriers for other harmful microbes.

By sheltering bacteria and viruses inside their cells, amoeba these unicelled organisms protect these pathogens from disinfection and help them persist and spread in drinking water systems. This so-called Trojan horse effect may also contribute to the spread of antibiotic resistance among humans.

Amoeba are single-celled organisms that naturally live in soil and water. Most species do not cause harm yet some can prove to be fatal. 

Some of the diseases caused by this kind of bacteria include Amebiasis (Amoebic Dysentery), an intestinal infection by Entamoeba histolytica, causing diarrhea, cramps and potential liver abscesses as well as Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM) from Naegleria fowleri, a rare but nearly always fatal brain infection from contaminated water entering the nose.

Effects of amoeba-caused infections range from intestinal issues (liver abscesses, anemia, peritonitis) to severe neurological damage (coma, seizures, death) from brain-eating types, with Acanthamoeba causing eye infections (keratitis).

Experts recommend thoroughly washing your hands after toilet use and before handling food, drinking clean water especially in unsanitary conditions and avoiding getting water up your nose in warm freshwater to prevent such infections. 

<h2>The Indore Crisis</h2>

This comes days after the recent Indore sewage water controversy which has claimed the lives 10 people and left over 1,400 people hospitalized, according to Indore Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargava.

However, locals claim that the outbreak has instead caused the death of 17 residents, including a six-month-child. The situation has also left Parvati Bai, 67, with kidney failure, a brain stroke and symptoms of Guillain-Barré Syndrome, or GBS.

GBS is a rare condition where your immune system attacks the nervous system and can cause paralysis as well as death, in certain cases.

The outbreak occurred due to lapses in civic infrastructure. Investigation revealed that a toilet constructed directly above a main drinking pipeline near a police outpost, without a mandatory safety tank resulted in the sewage mixing with drinking water.

Health Conditions A-Z

health

Amoeba

bacterial infection

indore

trojan

parvati bai

naegleria fowleri

acanthamoeba

guillain-barr syndrome

water

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Environmental and public health scientists have begun warning against the dangers of having free living amoeba in water systems that are capable of triggering severe diseases in humans. In a recent perspective article published in Biocontaminant, the researchers noted that climate change, deteriorating water infrastructure and limited systems for monitoring and detection are the key factors that have allowed these pathogens to spread and persist. Corresponding author Longfei Shu of Sun Yat sen University explained: "What makes these organisms particularly dangerous is their ability to survive conditions that kill many other microbes. "They can tolerate high temperatures, strong disinfectants like chlorine and even live inside water distribution systems that people assume are safe."The scientists also emphasized that not only can amoebae spread illnesses on its own, it can also act as hidden carriers for other harmful microbes.By sheltering bacteria and viruses inside their cells, amoeba these unicelled organisms protect these pathogens from disinfection and help them persist and spread in drinking water systems. This so-called Trojan horse effect may also contribute to the spread of antibiotic resistance among humans.How Dangerous Is Amoeba?Amoeba are single-celled organisms that naturally live in soil and water. Most species do not cause harm yet some can prove to be fatal. Some of the diseases caused by this kind of bacteria include Amebiasis (Amoebic Dysentery), an intestinal infection by Entamoeba histolytica, causing diarrhea, cramps and potential liver abscesses as well as Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM) from Naegleria fowleri, a rare but nearly always fatal brain infection from contaminated water entering the nose.Effects of amoeba-caused infections range from intestinal issues (liver abscesses, anemia, peritonitis) to severe neurological damage (coma, seizures, death) from brain-eating types, with Acanthamoeba causing eye infections (keratitis). Experts recommend thoroughly washing your hands after toilet use and before handling food, drinking clean water especially in unsanitary conditions and avoiding getting water up your nose in warm freshwater to prevent such infections. The Indore CrisisThis comes days after the recent Indore sewage water controversy which has claimed the lives 10 people and left over 1,400 people hospitalized, according to Indore Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargava.However, locals claim that the outbreak has instead caused the death of 17 residents, including a six-month-child. The situation has also left Parvati Bai, 67, with kidney failure, a brain stroke and symptoms of Guillain-Barré Syndrome, or GBS.GBS is a rare condition where your immune system attacks the nervous system and can cause paralysis as well as death, in certain cases.The outbreak occurred due to lapses in civic infrastructure. Investigation revealed that a toilet constructed directly above a main drinking pipeline near a police outpost, without a mandatory safety tank resulted in the sewage mixing with drinking water.