A 16-Year Old Kid Survives Brain-Eating Amoeba Infection Through A New Wonder Drug

Sixteen years old Sebastian DeLeon survived from amebic meningoencephalitis, a rare disease caused by a brain eating amoeba. The patient was treated at Florida Hospital for Children, Orlando, as reported by CNN

The said amoeba with scientific name Naegleria fowleri is an intracellular parasite capable of entering the blood brain barrier. The said infection causes severe neural damage that might lead to death. The amoeba can be acquired in contaminated freshwater habitats like lakes and river. The amoeba however is not transmitted through drinking contaminated water but through entry in the nasal part of the body. The patient was said to acquire the amoeba after a family vacation in a lake. Common symptom are usually severe headache resulting to meningitis, fever, nausea and vomiting. The Dr. Liriano of  medical team under pediatric infectious disease worked closely with US Center for Disease Control and Prevention in the treatment and rehabilitation of the patient.

The patient was one of only four reported cases of recovery. The doctors treated the patient with a newly approved  US FDA drug made by Profunda, Inc. The drug company CEO Todd MacLaughlan said in an interview months ago  that he is optimistic on the recovery of the patient through his drug. This milestone in the treatment for amebic meningoencephalitis will greatly reduce the fatality rate caused by the infection across different states in the US. The neural damage however, is irreversible.

Brunilda Gonzales, mother of of Sebastian DeLeon extended her heartfelt appreciation to the medical team who attended her kid. "First to God and all his power for everything he has done in saving our kid's life," she said. "We are so thankful for this gift of life... God has given us a miracle through this hospital staff." Currently, CDC is collaborating with Profunda, Inc. in improving the treatment protocols for infected patients across the US.