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The Hindu
The Hindu
10h ago 3 views

Lakshadweep woman out of danger after treatment for new amoebic brain infection variant, says hospital

A Lakshadweep woman is recovering from Granulomatous Amoebic Meningoencephalitis, a rare brain infection caused by Acanthamoeba. This case highlights the importance of early diagnosis and treatment for such infections.
Lakshadweep woman out of danger after treatment for new amoebic brain infection variant, says hospital
A What happened
A woman from Lakshadweep has successfully recovered from a rare form of brain infection known as Granulomatous Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (GAM), caused by the Acanthamoeba variant. She was admitted to a private hospital three weeks ago, presenting with severe headaches, vomiting, and an eye movement disorder. Initial tests for meningitis did not yield conclusive results, prompting further analysis of her cerebrospinal fluid, which ultimately confirmed the presence of the Acanthamoeba infection. Medical professionals have reported significant improvement in her condition, and she is now stable. Dr. Sandeep Padmanabhan, a senior consultant, noted that while Acanthamoeba is less dangerous than the more commonly reported Naegleria species, early diagnosis and prompt treatment are crucial for patient outcomes.

Key insights

  • 1

    First reported case in region

    This is the first instance of GAM caused by Acanthamoeba in Lakshadweep.

  • 2

    Importance of early diagnosis

    Early detection and treatment are vital for managing rare brain infections.

  • 3

    Symptoms of infection

    Severe headaches, vomiting, and eye movement disorders are key symptoms.

Takeaways

The recovery of the Lakshadweep woman from a rare amoebic brain infection underscores the critical need for awareness and prompt medical intervention in similar cases.