New Delhi, Jan 3 (NationPress) Free-living amoebae, commonly referred to as brain-eating amoebae, are increasingly recognized as a significant global public health risk, according to a recent study.

Factors such as climate change, deteriorating water infrastructure, and insufficient monitoring are allowing these perilous pathogens to thrive in both water supplies and the environment, cautioned a team of environmental and public health scientists in an article published in the journal Biocontaminant.

“What makes these organisms particularly hazardous is their resilience to conditions that typically destroy other microbes,” noted Longfei Shu, the corresponding author from Sun Yat-sen University, China.

“They can withstand high temperatures, strong disinfectants like chlorine, and can even exist within water distribution systems that are considered safe,” Shu added.

Amoebae are single-celled entities typically found in soil and water. While the majority are harmless, certain species can lead to severe infections. One of the most infamous is Naegleria fowleri, often known as the brain-eating amoeba, which can cause a rare but almost universally fatal brain infection when contaminated water enters the nasal cavity during activities like swimming. Recent years have seen Naegleria fowleri linked to several fatalities in Kerala.

The authors also pointed out that amoebae serve as covert carriers for other harmful microbes. By harboring bacteria and viruses within their cells, amoebae can shield these pathogens from disinfection, enabling them to persist and proliferate within drinking water systems. This phenomenon, dubbed the Trojan horse effect, may also facilitate the spread of antibiotic resistance.

Climate change is anticipated to exacerbate the situation by broadening the geographic distribution of heat-adapted amoebae into areas where they were previously uncommon. Recent outbreaks associated with recreational water activities have already heightened public anxiety in multiple countries.

The researchers advocated for a synchronized One Health approach, linking human health, environmental science, and water management. They emphasize the need for enhanced surveillance, improved diagnostic methodologies, and the implementation of advanced water treatment solutions to mitigate risks before infections materialize.

“Amoebae represent more than just a medical or environmental challenge,” Shu stated. “They lie at the convergence of both, and addressing them necessitates integrated strategies that safeguard public health from its source.”