Granulomatous Amebic Encephalitis By Chelsea Marie, PhD, University of Virginia; William A Petri, Jr, MD, PhD, University of Virginia School of Medicine Reviewed / Revised Dec 2022 View Patient Education Symptoms and Signs Diagnosis Treatment Key Points More Information Granulomatous amebic encephalitis is a very rare, generally fatal subacute central nervous system (CNS) infection caused by Acanthamoeba species in immunocompromised or debilitated hosts or by Balamuthia mandrillaris.