Brain-Eating Amoeba
Brain-eating amoeba, scientifically known as Naegleria fowleri, is a microscopic organism found in warm freshwater. It can cause a rare and devastating infection of the brain called primary amebic meningoencephalitis. The amoeba enters the body through the nose and travels to the brain where it destroys brain tissue, and often causes death. While the disease is terrifying, infections with brain-eating amoeba are extremely rare.
What Is Brain-Eating Amoeba?
Brain-eating amoeba refers to a microscopic single-celled organism, which is also known under its scientific name as Naegleria fowleri.
This type of amoeba is found in warm freshwaters and in soil all around the world.
Although the name might sound scary, it does not actually eat the brain. Instead, it can cause a serious infection called primary amebic meningoencephalitis. This then can lead to severe brain damage and swelling [1].
While the mortality rate of a brain-eating amoeba infection is very high, infections are very rare. There were only 34 cases of a brain-eating amoeba infection reported in the United States between the years 2008 and 2017. However, the mortality was 90% [1, 2].
Typically, the amoeba enters the human body through the nose. It can happen when people are swimming or diving in warm freshwater. The symptoms of the brain-eating amoeba include severe headaches, fever, nausea, vomiting and slurred speech [3].
Can You Get Brain-Eating Amoeba From Pools?
Naegleria fowleri thrives in warm freshwater environments, such as lakes or hot springs. However, it can also be found in inadequately chlorinated swimming pools or contaminated tap water [1].
A Finnish study found that 41% of water samples contained amoebae [4], however, not all of these were harmful. In a Mexican study, the most commonly found amoebae in swimming pools were species Naegleria gruberi (59.02%), N. fowleri (16.77%), and A. castellanii (7.64%) [5].
So, while the risk is low, it is possible to contract a brain-eating amoeba from swimming pools, especially if they are not well taken care of. However, it is always important to ensure that the swimming pool you are swimming in is well-maintained to minimize the risk.
Can You Get Brain-Eating Amoeba From Showering?
The odds of getting a brain-eating amoeba, such as Naegleria fowleri, from shower water is extremely rare.
Only two cases of primary amebic meningoencephalitis caused by brain-eating amoeba found in household plumbing served by treated municipal water supplies were reported in the United States. The only water exposure these patients had was the tap water used for household activities [7].
In a study conducted in a stem cell transplant unit, potentially pathogenic bacteria were found in shower water and aerosolized shower mist. The average total bacterial counts were 2.2 x 10(7) cells/liter in shower water and 3.4 x 10(4) cells/m(3) in shower aerosol [8]. However, it's important to note that this study did not specifically mention Naegleria fowleri.
Therefore, it is extremely unlikely to have Naegleria fowleri in your tap water!