Source: TH
Context: Kerala’s Health Department has raised concern after fresh evidence showed Acanthamoeba is more widespread in the State’s waterbodies than earlier believed.
About Acanthamoeba:
- What it is?
- A free-living protozoan parasite, found in soil and water.
- Causes serious infections like Acanthamoeba keratitis (eye) and Granulomatous Amoebic Encephalitis (GAE) (brain).
- Found in:
- Household wells, ponds, storage tanks, and other freshwater sources.
- Thrives in water rich in coli and high coliform count.
- Features:
- Exists in two forms: trophozoite (active) and cyst (dormant, resistant).
- Opportunistic pathogen, affecting both healthy and immunocompromised individuals.
- Can enter through minor corneal tears, contact lenses, or open wounds.
- Symptoms:
- Keratitis: Severe eye pain, redness, blurred vision, sensitivity to light, corneal ulcers.
- Encephalitis: Headache, fever, seizures, neurological deficits — often fatal if untreated.
- Treatment:
- Keratitis: Early diagnosis critical; treated with antimicrobial eye drops (biguanides, diamidines) and sometimes corneal transplant in advanced cases.
- Encephalitis: Difficult to treat; combination of antifungals, antibiotics, and supportive care; survival rate remains low.
- Preventive Measures: Chlorination of wells and safe water practices; strict contact lens hygiene.
