Prelims: Current events of national and international importance | Science & Technology | Health
Why in News?
A recent study has identified exposure to non-chlorinated domestic well water as a primary risk factor driving the surge of Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (AME) in Kerala.
Key Highlights of the Study
- Increased Odds of Infection- Individuals using untreated, non-chlorinated well water for bathing or washing their face face 2.95 times higher odds of contracting amoebic meningoencephalitis compared to unexposed populations.
- High Attributable Fraction- The study calculated a Population Attributable Fraction (PAF) of 34.2%, indicating that over a third of AME cases in the state are directly attributable to untreated well water exposure.
- Emergence of Acanthamoeba - While historical cases were predominantly Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM) caused by Naegleria fowleri, recent case series in Kerala show a significant prevalence of Granulomatous Amoebic Encephalitis (GAE) caused by Acanthamoeba species.
- Drastic Mortality Reduction- Through early state-wide real-time PCR screening of all unspecified encephalitis cases and standardized protocols, Kerala has reduced the case fatality rate of AME to ~24%, compared to the global mortality average of over 90–99%.
- High Reliance on Well Infrastructure - Kerala's unique settlement patterns rely heavily on private open dug wells, where a lack of routine chlorination allows free-living amoebae to colonize bio-films in warm groundwater.
Reference
The Hindu | ICMR study identifies amoebic meningoencephalitis
