Neurocysticercosis
Jenna Sawafta
Infectious Diseases in the Developing World
Fall 2012
Neuro-Brain Cysticercosis
is an infection due to ingestion of Taenia Solium
http://drugline.org/medic/term/taenia/
The most common parasitic
disease of the nervous system
It is also the main cause of epilepsy in developing countries
http://www.cedars-sinai.edu/Patients/Programs-and-Services/Epilepsy-Program/Diagnosing-Epilepsy/
60-80% of people with the disease
become epileptic
http://jessicaksmith.blogspot.com/2010/07/45000-sudden-unexplained-deaths-in.html
What does a brain with
neurocysticercosis look like?
Normal Brain
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1168656-overview
Neurocysticerosis
A closer look…
http://medicalschool.tumblr.com/post/12376854128/neurocysticercosis-is-an-infection-in-the-brain-of
How is the disease transmitted?
NCC is spread by the fecal oral route
http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/Blastocystis
Transmission occurs when
pathogens of one host are introduced
to the oral cavity of another
Egg
Intermediate Host
http://www.path.cam.ac.uk/~schisto/general_parasitology/parasitology_cestodes_examples.html
Definitive Host
Larval form of parasite found in
intermediate host (Pig)
Infection of definitive host via:
 Uncooked meat
 Contaminated meat
Adult form of the parasite manifests
in human
Tapeworms lay new eggs in muscle
tissue
Development of the tapeworm in
the brain
http://www.learningradiology.com/archives2010/COW%20397-Cysticercosis/ncccorrect.htm
Most commonly transmitted
through food contamination
http://img4-2.realsimple.timeinc.net/images/ingredients/ham_300.jpg
http://www.whatacrappyjob.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/logo-biohazard-252x300.gif
Who does this affect?
2.5 million people world-wide are
living with Taenia Solium
http://radiographics.rsna.org/content/30/6/1705/F2.expansion.html
The most heavily affected countries
are in Latin America
http://radiographics.rsna.org/content/30/6/1705/F2.expansion.html
Non-endemic countries’ cases are rising
because of travel to endemic regions and
immigration.
http://oldweb.madison.k12.wi.us/tnl/detectives/People_and_Places/Regions/South_America/
http://www.worldtravelforumonline.com/forumindex/images/southamerica1.jpg
How do we treat it?
The main antiparasitic drugs
Praziquantal
http://www.chemicalland21.com/lifescience/phar/ALBENDAZOLE.htm
https://www.healthtap.com/#topics/get-rid-of-threadworms
Albendazole
Clinical trials shows that Albendazole
kills 60-85% of brain cysterci in 4 weeks
http://www.biomedsearch.com/nih/Albendazole-versus-Praziquantel-in-Treatment/18335068.html
What are we doing about it?
 Improving sanitation
 Modernizing swine husbandry
 Developing detection technology for tapeworms
http://www.pigprogress.net/Home/General/2010/12/Balanced-trace-element-feed-improves-sow-performance-PP006960W/
Works Consulted
• DeGiorgio, Christopher. "Neurocysticercosis." National Center for
Biotechnology. US Library of Medicine, 4 2004. Web. 5 Nov 2012.
<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1176337/>.
• "Examples of Common Cestodes." SRG General Pathology. University of
Cambridge, n.d. Web. 06 Nov 2012.
<http://www.path.cam.ac.uk/~schisto/general_parasitology/parasitology_
cestodes_examples.html>.
• "Neurocysticercosis: Radiologic-Pathologic Correlation ." RadioGraphics.
Radiological Society of North America, n.d. Web. 10 Nov 2012.
<http://radiographics.rsna.org/content/30/6/1705/F2.expansion.html>.
• Zafaar, Mohammed. "Neurocysticercosis." MedScape. WebMed LLC, 07
2011. Web. 10 Nov 2012.
<http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1168656-overview
• Zimmer, Carl. "Hidden Epidemic: Tapeworms Living Inside Peoples Brains."
Discover Magazine. Kalmbach Publishing, 15 2012. Web. 08 Nov 2012.
<http://discovermagazine.com/2012/jun/03-hidden-epidemictapeworms-in-the-brain>.
Thank you!