Neurocysticercosis /ˈnjʊəroʊˌsɪstiˌsɜːrˈkoʊsɪs/ is a specific form of the infectious parasitic

disease cysticercosis that is caused by the infection with Taenia solium, a tapeworm found in

pigs. Neurocysticercosis occurs when cysts formed by the infection take hold within the brain,
causing neurologic syndromes such as epileptic seizures. It is a common cause of seizures
worldwide. It has been called a "hidden epidemic"[1] and "arguably the most common parasitic
disease of the human nervous system".[2]
The infection of adult tapeworm often presents in different medical conditions depending on the
body systems being affected. When humans are infected with Taenia solium, it causes an
intestinal infection called taeniasis. Cysticerosis develops when multiple organs are affected,
including the muscles, skin and eyes. Neurocysticerosis occurs when the larvae of Taenia
solium invade the central nervous system. Common symptoms of neurocysticercosis include
seizures, headaches, blindness, meningitis and dementia[3].

Contents

 1Pathophysiology
 2Diagnosis
 3Treatment
 4Epidemiology
 5References

Pathophysiology[edit]
Neurocysticercosis most commonly involves the cerebral cortex followed by the cerebellum.
The pituitary gland is very rarely involved in neurocysticercosis. The cysts may rarely coalesce
and form a tree-like pattern which is known as racemose neurocysticercosis, which when
involving the pituitary gland may result in multiple pituitary hormone deficiency.[4]

Diagnosis[edit]
Neurocysticerosis is diagnosed by computed tomography (CT) scan.[3] Diagnosis may be
confirmed by detection of antibodies against cysticerci in CSF or serum[5] through ELISA or
imunoblotting techniques.[6]

Treatment[edit]
Treatment of neurocysticerosis includes epileptic therapy and a long-course medication
of praziquantel (PZQ) and/or albendazole.[3] Steroid therapy may be necessary to minimize the
inflammatory reaction to dying cysticerci.[6] Surgical removal of brain cysts may be necessary,
[6]
 e.g. in cases of large parenchymal cysts, intraventricular cysts or hydrocephalus.[7]
Albendazole can reduce the number of viable brain lesions and reduce seizures recurrence in
those with non-viable brain lesions.[8]
For seizures further randomized controlled trials are needed to evaluate the efficacy
of antiepileptic drugs (AED) for seizure prevention in patients with symptoms other than
seizures and the duration of AED treatment in these cases.[9]

Epidemiology[edit]
The epidemiology of Taenia solium cysticercosis is solely associated with local cultural
practices especially poor sanitation and is highly endemic in Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin
America and Asia.[10][11] Infection by Taenia solium cysticercosis, the pork tapeworm larvae in
human, spares no ethnic group.[12] Cysticercosis in the United States, which commonly presents
in the form of neurocysticercosis, has been classified as a "neglected tropical disease",[13] which
commonly affects the poor and homeless, particularly those without access or in the habit of
inadequate hand-washing and in the habit of eating with their hands.