The global health landscape is often dominated by drug-resistant bacteria or superbugs. To one’s dismay, another deadly threat emerges in the form of ‘free-living amoebas’.
These organisms are microscopic in nature and thrive in soil and water, surviving disinfection processes such as chlorination. Most species are harmless and play an important role in the natural ecosystem.
But some species can cause infections, which prove fatal to humans. The most infamous one is Naegleria fowlerithat travels through the nose to the brain, almost always leading to fatal infections.
What makes amoebas life-threatening, according to researchers, is their ability to withstand harsh conditions that could kill other microorganisms, as they can tolerate high temperatures, use strong disinfectants and even reside in water distribution systems that humans consider safe, as reported by corresponding author Longfei Shu of Sun Yat sen University.
Furthermore, amoebae act as ‘Trojan horses’, protecting harmful bacteria from water treatment and potentially promoting antibiotic resistance.
According to researchers’ findings, rising temperatures and global warming are responsible for the spread of amoebae as many species thrive in warmer conditions. Consequently, there is a real possibility that they could expand into new regions where they were once uncommon.
“Amoebas are not just a medical problem or an environmental problem. They are at the intersection of the two, and addressing them requires integrated solutions that protect public health at the source,” Shu said.
Researchers are calling for a ‘One Health’ approach to improve monitoring and upgrade water infrastructure to combat this invisible threat. This approach will facilitate collaboration between experts in healthcare, water management and environmental sciences.
