"Alright."

Liu Meng nodded, although her expression remained composed, this situation would not be easy for any doctor to handle.

Back in the office, Zhao Heng turned on the computer, logged into the National Literature Network, and began searching for treatment cases of Naegleria fowleri infection.

However, after browsing through a few articles, Zhao Heng did not feel any relief. He discovered that the few patients abroad who survived Naegleria fowleri infection were coincidentally diagnosed very early and then treated with large amounts of medication to counteract brain swelling.

The most notable case was from a hospital in the United States, where the attending physician used the broad-spectrum antimicrobial Mitifoxin (miltefosine) in combination with other drugs to control the brain swelling of the infected patient, saving a patient and offering hope for treating Naegleria fowleri infection.

Mitifoxin?

Seeing the name of this drug, Zhao Heng couldn't help but ponder.

Mitifoxin's full name should be Mitifosin, an alkylphosphocholine drug, generally used for treating conventional skin cancer. Mitifosin can enter the cell membrane and block cell signal processes to induce a specific functional disorder and prevent further tumor growth.

Moreover, Mitifosin has certain activity against various types of parasites.

This was an unexpected treatment method for Zhao Heng—using a cancer drug to treat Naegleria fowleri infection.

Could this idea work?

Zhao Heng couldn't help but wonder if this sole case of using Mitifosin was just a fluke.

With this doubt in mind, Zhao Heng carefully examined the case.

Upon further reading, Zhao Heng discovered that the only patient cured with Mitifosin initially had early-stage skin cancer, so Mitifosin was used for cancer treatment. However, after contracting Naegleria fowleri, the attending physician unexpectedly found that Mitifosin seemed effective in treating parasites. So, they increased the dosage, and since the patient was in the early stage of infection, they were cured.

Maybe it's worth a try?

Zhao Heng thought.

After all, there are no other options right now.

With this in mind, Zhao Heng left the office and went to the bedside of the boy infected with the Brain-Eating Amoeba.

At this time, due to the effect of surgical anesthesia, the boy had not yet awakened from his coma. Unlike his seizure symptoms upon admission, now he just looked a bit pale.

But Zhao Heng knew that beneath this calm surface lay a hidden undercurrent. Once the patient experienced a major seizure, he might be close to death.

"Doctor."

Seeing Zhao Heng arrive, the girl sitting beside the patient stood up.

Liu Meng was also there, monitoring the boy's vital signs in real-time. Upon seeing Zhao Heng, she nodded to him.

"How is the situation now?"

Zhao Heng asked Liu Meng.

"The data on respiration, heart rate, and blood pressure are all normal, but the EEG shows that the patient's cerebral cortex activity is extremely intense. If this intense cortical activity continues, it may cause irreversible damage to the patient's consciousness."

Liu Meng said.

"Intense cerebral cortex activity?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Heng's expression turned serious. This indicated that the parasite's reproduction in the brain had reached its peak and started secreting endotoxins, causing the patient to experience strong hallucinations.

This mechanism is somewhat similar to a spider hunting its prey by directly injecting anesthetic toxins, paralyzing the prey, and then enjoying its meal.

In essence, the process of parasites inhabiting the human body is somewhat similar to hunting phenomena in nature.

However, there are differences. Parasites like roundworms reach a certain symbiosis with the human body, while parasites like Naegleria fowleri entirely exploit the human body as a breeding ground, ultimately to the death of the person.

"Yes, the cerebral cortex activity has been intense for the past hour."

Liu Meng nodded again. She was now monitoring the patient's condition around the clock.

"Alright, I understand. Dr. Liu, continue to monitor his condition."

Zhao Heng nodded and instructed Liu Meng.

At this point, the girl couldn't help but anxiously ask Zhao Heng, "Doctor, what's wrong with him? Is this... whatever amoeba untreatable?"

Since hearing the diagnosis, the girl had been in constant anxiety, especially after researching this terrifying "Brain-Eating Amoeba" parasite online. Her anxiety reached its peak.

On one hand, she felt helpless about her boyfriend's uncertain survival; on the other hand, she worried whether she had also been infected with this terrifying parasite.

"Don't worry, the hospital has organized an expert group, and they are researching treatment plans. We're doing our best."

Zhao Heng reassured the girl.

"Your test results showed you are not infected with this parasite."

After a pause, Zhao Heng continued.

Hearing that she wasn't infected, the girl visibly breathed a sigh of relief, but seeing her boyfriend's life hanging by a thread, she hesitated and asked, "Doctor, will he be in danger?"

"Prepare yourself mentally; we'll do all we can."

Zhao Heng said solemnly. Saying such things to families is cruel, but as a doctor, this was something he had said countless times.

"I understand, thank you, doctor."

With these words, the girl was unsure how to react, her mind blank.

At just twenty years old, she had no idea how to face the potential life and death separation from her loved one.

Leaving the intensive care unit, Zhao Heng headed straight to the dean's office. After accidentally discovering that Mitifosin might have cured a patient infected with Naegleria fowleri, he now sought advice from Liu Shangming. Before becoming dean, Liu Shangming was an authority in the oncology department, so he would undoubtedly understand such cancer treatment drugs.

Just as Zhao Heng reached the doorway to the dean's office, he saw Liu Shangming and Gao Jun inside, seemingly discussing something.

"Xiao Zhao?"

Upon seeing Zhao Heng, Gao Jun was the first to express some confusion.

"Come in."

Seeing Zhao Heng, Liu Shangming immediately invited him in.

Zhao Heng followed suit, sitting on the sofa.

At this moment, he noticed that Dean Liu Shangming and Teacher Gao Jun did not seem much better than earlier. This issue indeed seemed tough, leaving the two seasoned veterans temporarily out of solutions.

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