Kerala tackles rare brain infections

World's first survivor of a dual case of amoebic meningitis, fungal infection owes life to Kerela doctors

- PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

Kerala's health sector has achieved a rare feat by successfully treating a 17-year-old boy who was simultaneously infected with amoebic meningoencephalitis and Aspergillus flavus, Health Minister Veena George said Wednesday.

She said this was the first known case in the world where a patient with both infections had been treated successfully and made a full recovery.

“The boy was under treatment at Alappuzha Medical College Hospital for three weeks and was then shifted to Thiruvananthapuram Medical College. The neurosurgery team conducted surgeries on the patient, and he has now completely recovered after three months of treatment,” George told reporters.

The microbiology lab at Alappuzha identified the disease-causing amoeba and fungus from the patient's spinal fluid, following which treatment was initiated in line with government guidelines, she said.