Illness and Symptoms: Balamuthia mandrillaris

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Illness and Symptoms: Balamuthia mandrillaris

Like Acanthamoeba species, once inside the body, the amoeba can journey to the brain and cause granulomatous amoebic encephalitis (GAE). It can take weeks to months to develop the first symptoms after initial exposure. Some of the signs and symptoms include:

  • Headache
  • Confusion 
  • Low-grade fever
  • Lethargy
  • Nausea/vomiting 
  • Seizures 
  • Photophobia
  • Neck stiffness
  • Behavioral changes