Neurocysticercosis

Jenna SawaftaInfectious 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

http://www.cedars-sinai.edu/Patients/Programs-and-Services/Epilepsy-Program/Diagnosing-Epilepsy/

It is also the main cause of epilepsy in developing countries

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 Neurocysticerosis

http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1168656-overview

A closer look…

http://medicalschool.tumblr.com/post/12376854128/neurocysticercosis-is-an-infection-in-the-brain-of

Brain Lesions

Brain Lesions

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

http://www.path.cam.ac.uk/~schisto/general_parasitology/parasitology_cestodes_examples.html

Egg Intermediate Host Definitive Host

http://www.learningradiology.com/archives2010/COW%20397-Cysticercosis/ncccorrect.htm

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

Most commonly transmitted through food contamination

http://img4-2.realsimple.timeinc.net/images/ingredients/ham_300.jpghttp://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

http://www.chemicalland21.com/lifescience/phar/ALBENDAZOLE.htmhttps://www.healthtap.com/#topics/get-rid-of-threadworms

Praziquantal 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?

http://www.pigprogress.net/Home/General/2010/12/Balanced-trace-element-feed-improves-sow-performance-PP006960W/

Improving sanitation

Modernizing swine husbandry

Developing detection technology for tapeworms

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-epidemic-tapeworms-in-the-brain>.

Thank you!