Thiruvananthapuram: A 17-year-old boy critically ill with rare amoebic encephalitis and an Aspergillus flavus fungal brain infection has made a remarkable recovery. This is the first reported case in the world of a person surviving both infections simultaneously.

The student from Shooranad, Kollam, who had been undergoing treatment for three months for severe amoebic meningoencephalitis, was discharged from Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital in full health. He remained in good health during a follow-up examination. Kerala Health Minister Veena George congratulated the medical college team for saving the boy through excellent treatment and care, and also praised the team at Alappuzha Medical College for detecting the disease in time.

Three months ago, a week after he drowned in a pond, the boy developed encephalitis, which caused unconsciousness and weakness on his left side. He was admitted to Alappuzha Medical College Hospital, where tests revealed the presence of amoeba in his cerebrospinal fluid. Treatment for amoebic encephalitis was immediately started according to state protocol, which improved his consciousness and strength. However, he was transferred to Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital after experiencing blurred vision, increased intracranial pressure, and pus formation in the brain.

Specialist examinations at Thiruvananthapuram Medical College, including MRI scans, revealed pus accumulating in multiple areas of the brain. Emergency surgery was performed by the Neurosurgery Department to remove the pus. After the first stage of treatment, the disease worsened, requiring a second surgery. Examination of the pus removed during the second procedure revealed the presence of the Aspergillus flavus fungus. Medications were adjusted, and specialist treatment continued. Following intensive treatment lasting about six weeks, the boy fully recovered and was discharged.

Doctors described his condition as highly complex, noting that early and accurate diagnosis, combined with timely surgeries, was crucial to his recovery.

Health Minister Veena George said Kerala is at the forefront in treating amoebic encephalitis. She noted that while the disease has a 99 per cent global mortality rate, Kerala’s mortality rate has been reduced to 24 per cent through early detection and adherence to treatment protocols. Last year and this year, the state recorded 86 cases of amoebic encephalitis (39 last year, 47 this year), with 21 deaths. The reduction in mortality is attributed to early-stage detection, strict protocol-based treatment, preparation of special guidelines, establishment of testing systems in medical college microbiology labs, and the State Public Health Lab’s capability to identify amoeba types. Preventive measures included chlorination of wells on the 30th and 31st, led by the Health Department in collaboration with the Haritha Kerala Mission and other agencies.

Dr. Sunil Kumar, Superintendent of Thiruvananthapuram Medical College and a neurosurgery specialist, led the surgeries. The team included neurosurgeons Dr Raj S Chandran, Dr Jyotish LP, Dr Rajakutty, and specialists from the departments of Medicine, Infectious Diseases, and Microbiology. The initial detection team at Alappuzha Medical College, led by Dr Shanimol, Head of Microbiology, along with the departments of Medicine and Neurology, also played a key role in the boy’s treatment.