Man is used to considering himself the king of nature, but even the simplest organism is able to destroy it in a matter of days. And this is not an exaggeration: Fowler's negleria (Naegleria fowleri) sneaks into the mammalian brain, eating it alive. These amoebae absolutely do not care about space flights and cutting-edge medicine - the simplest care only about food. And the likelihood of meeting a brain-eating amoeba increases very slowly, but constantly. Scientists see the reason for its spread in global warming. Having reached the freshwater reservoirs of the regions where the annual temperature rose, the amoeba was able to adapt to the new conditions.
Hazardous areas
Fowler's Negleria can be found in every freshwater body of water in the world. These amoebas feed on bacteria, and humans are infected from time to time. To catch a terrible infection is elementary, one small breath with a drop of water is enough. Once in the body of the carrier, the Negleria quickly moves to the brain, which is a banquet table for them.
Attack on the mind
Having settled down more comfortably under the skull cover, the amoeba begins to absorb brain cells. At the same time, it produces a special protein that promotes the speedy decay of still healthy cells. Soon, the area of the brain next to the parasite is completely destroyed. Usually, at this stage, the person is still conscious, forced to endure terrible sensations.
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Defense mechanisms
The enemy's immune system notices in the first seconds of the invasion. Unfortunately, evolution hasn't envisioned a special squad of immune cells to deal with the brain-eating amoeba, which looks pretty unfair. The body fights the parasite using standard methods: it directs more immune cells to the affected area.
Last straw
The counteroffensive of the immune system of Fowler's Negleria plays into the hands. That is, on the flagellum. In an attempt to destroy the parasite, the body gives the order to send a huge number of immune cells into the affected area. These "rescuers" literally bury the remnants of the brain under them, causing tissue inflammation. As a result, cerebral edema occurs, from which the victim dies.
The reality of danger
Of course, the chances of contracting the brain-devouring amoeba are negligible. Since 1962, only 132 such cases have been registered around the world, and only three victims managed to survive. However, Indian biologist Abdul Mannan Baig correctly points out that statistics from developing countries were not taken into account - for its complete absence. Most likely, the scientist is right. A recent survey of remote areas of Pakistan found that in that country, amoeba infects at least 20 people a year.