Brain-eating amoeba that can tolerate high temperatures and disinfectants like chlorine is spreading fast in drinking water globally: Study

Scientists are warning about the rising threat of free-living amoebae, microscopic organisms that can survive in water systems and act as carriers for deadly infections. These resilient microbes have largely gone unnoticed by the public but are increasingly recognized as a global health concern, according to a perspective article in Biocontaminant.

Amoebae can survive extreme conditions

Free-living amoebae are single-celled organisms commonly found in soil and water. While most species are harmless, some, such as Naegleria fowleri—the so-called brain-eating amoeba—can cause rare but almost always fatal infections when contaminated water enters the nose, typically during swimming. “What makes these organisms particularly dangerous is their ability to survive conditions that kill many other microbes,” said Longfei Shu of Sun Yat-sen University, the corresponding author. “They can tolerate high temperatures, strong disinfectants like chlorine, and even live inside water distribution systems that people assume are safe.”

Amoebae as hidden carriers of pathogens

Researchers note that these organisms can shelter harmful bacteria and viruses within their cells, protecting them from disinfection and aiding their spread through drinking water systems. This “Trojan horse effect” may also contribute to the rise of antibiotic resistance.

Climate change increases exposure risk

Warming temperatures are expected to expand the range of heat-tolerant amoebae into areas where they were previously rare. Recent outbreaks linked to recreational water use have already raised public health concerns in multiple countries.

Call for integrated solutions

The study emphasizes the need for a coordinated One Health approach, connecting human health, environmental science, and water management. Shu said, “Amoebae are not just a medical issue or an environmental issue. They sit at the intersection of both, and addressing them requires integrated solutions that protect public health at its source.” The researchers advocate for stronger surveillance, improved diagnostic tools, and advanced water treatment technologies to prevent infections before they occur.