Granulomatous amoebic encephalitis history and symptoms

Overview
Granulomatous amoebic encephalitis is a central nervous system disease caused by certain species of amoeba, especially Balamuthia mandrillaris.

History and symptoms
Symptoms of increased intracranial pressure such as nausea and vomiting are common
 * Headache
 * Low-grade fever
 * Mood swings
 * Lethargy
 * Confusion
 * Seizures
 * Focal neurological deficits (such as hemiparesis or cranial neuropathy)
 * Meningeal irritation (such as stiff neck)

Disease

Balamuthia infection is very rare. The Balamuthia amebas can infect the skin, sinuses, brain and other organs of the body. Therefore, Balamuthia infection can cause a wide range of symptoms. Disease can begin with a skin wound on the face, trunk, or limbs and can then progress  to the brain where it cause a disease called Granulomatous Amebic  Encephalitis (GAE)[1,2]. Diagnosis of Balamuthia GAE can be difficult, but some early symptoms may include:

Headaches Stiff neck or head and neck pain with neck movement Sensitivity to light Nausea Vomiting Lethargy (tiredness) Low-grade fever

Other signs of Balamuthia GAE may include:

Behavioral changes Seizures Weight loss Partial paralysis Speech difficulties Difficulty walking

Balamuthia can also cause a widespread infection involving multiple body parts.

The disease might appear mild at first but can become more severe over weeks to several months[1,3]. Often the disease is fatal[3], with a death rate of more than 95%[4]. Overall, the outlook for people who get this disease is poor, although early diagnosis and treatment may increase the chances for survival[4].