Washington DC Washington DC: Free-living amoebae are emerging as a global health concern, caused by increasing heat and aging water systems. While many of these are harmless, some can cause life-threatening infections and may even harbor other dangerous germs. Their ability to withstand heat and disinfectants makes them extremely difficult to control. Scientists say there is an urgent need for better monitoring and purification of water.

A team of environmental and public health scientists is raising concerns about a group of microbes that hasn’t received much attention until now, but which may pose a growing threat around the world: free-living amoebas. In a recent article published in ‘Biocontaminant’, researchers report that these tiny organisms are becoming an emerging global health risk. The main reasons for their spread are rising temperatures, aging water infrastructure, and limited resources for their detection and monitoring. Although most people have never heard of free-living amoebas, scientists say they deserve more attention.

What are free living amoebas?

Amoebas are single-celled organisms that are found naturally in soil, fresh water, and even in some water systems created by humans. They move from one place to another and eat food by moving some parts of their body; Due to this process they get their special shape.

Most amoebae are harmless and play a role in natural ecosystems. However, some of these species can infect humans and cause serious diseases. These infections are rare, but when they occur, they can be very serious.

One of the best-known examples of this is ‘Naegleria fowleri’ (often called the ‘brain-eating amoeba’). The organism can enter the body when contaminated water is inhaled through the nose – this often happens when swimming in warm lakes or coming in contact with water that has not been properly cleaned. Once inside the body, it travels to the brain and causes a rapidly spreading infection that is almost always fatal.

Why are these germs so difficult to eliminate?

Scientists say that one of the most worrying features of these amoebas is that they can survive even in those difficult conditions in which other microorganisms usually die.

“What makes these organisms particularly dangerous is that they can survive in conditions that would kill many other microbes,” says lead author Longfei Shu of Sun Yat-sen University. “They can withstand extreme temperatures, strong disinfectants like chlorine, and even survive inside water distribution systems that people generally consider safe.” This strength means that common water purification methods may not always be sufficient to eliminate them, especially in older or poorly maintained systems.

Amoeba’s hidden role in spreading other germs

The dangers are not limited to amoeba alone. Researchers say that these organisms can act as a kind of protective shield against other harmful germs, including bacteria and viruses.

Inside the amoeba, these germs can survive in a sort of safe place, where they are safe from disinfectants that would normally kill them. This process is often called the ‘Trojan Horse Effect’. This allows dangerous germs to persist and potentially spread more easily in drinking water systems.

Scientists are also concerned that this safer environment could help reduce the effectiveness of antibiotics, making infections more difficult to treat over time.

Climate change is expanding their reach

This problem is expected to become worse due to rising temperatures around the world. Many of these amoebae thrive in warm environments, so as water temperatures rise, they are likely to spread to new areas where they were previously rarely found.

In recent years, a number of infections linked to recreational water have raised public concerns in different parts of the world. These incidents show that this threat is no longer limited to just a few areas.

Need for better monitoring and safe water systems

To combat this growing threat, researchers are calling for a much larger, more collaborative effort. He recommends a ‘One Health’ approach, in which experts in human health, environmental science and water management come together to approach the problem from multiple perspectives.

Improving surveillance systems is a key priority, as is developing faster and more accurate methods for detecting infections. The team also emphasizes the need for modern water purification technologies that can better eliminate these tenacious organisms before they become a threat to humans.

A problem that transcends boundaries

“Amoeba is not just a medical or environmental problem,” Xu said. “These are the links between the two, and to address them requires a combined approach that protects people’s health at its roots.”

As scientists learn more about these tiny creatures, one thing is becoming clear: Something that is almost invisible to the naked eye may have a greater impact on global health than previously thought.