A recently published article in the journal Biocontaminant on January 25, 2023, has drawn attention to the potential threat posed by free-living amoebae. These little-known microorganisms, found in water bodies and soil, can become a serious danger to global health, experts warn.
Some of these amoebae are capable of surviving in conditions that are usually lethal for most microbes, including high temperatures and chlorine. The most well-known representative is Naegleria fowleri, or the "brain-eating amoeba," which causes a rare but almost always fatal infection. Infection occurs when contaminated water enters the nose during swimming.
According to the lead author of the study, Longfei Shu from Sun Yat-sen University, these organisms pose a threat as they can exist in conditions where other microorganisms do not survive. They can be present in water supply systems considered safe and can withstand aggressive disinfectants.
An even more serious problem is that free-living amoebae can serve as a refuge for pathogenic bacteria and viruses, protecting them from disinfection and facilitating their spread. This ability acts like a "Trojan horse" effect, allowing dangerous microorganisms to survive and spread through drinking water systems, and may also contribute to the growth of antibiotic resistance.
Research indicates that free-living amoebae are becoming increasingly common due to climate change, the state of water resources, and a lack of monitoring. Rising global temperatures are expected to enhance their spread in regions where they were previously absent. In recent years, several countries have already reported outbreaks of diseases related to water use for recreational purposes, raising public concern.
The authors of the study call for the formation of a unified "One Health" strategy that would combine efforts in public health, environmental research, and water resource management. Advanced epidemiological monitoring methods, more accurate diagnostic tools, and modern water purification technologies are needed to minimize infection risks.
Shu emphasizes that the issues related to amoebae are not limited to just medical or environmental spheres. These are questions at the intersection of both fields, requiring comprehensive solutions to protect public health from the very beginning.
