 This is supported somewhat by the detection of antibodies to the protist in healthy individuals.The generic name "Balamuthia" was given by Govinda Visvesvara (b. September 28, 1931), in honor of his late mentor, the renowned parasitologist William Balamuth (1914–1981) for his contributions to the study of amoebae.It was in 1993 when Visvesvara isolated and studied the pathogen for the first time.