Neurocysticercosis

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About Neurocysticercosis

It is a parasitic infection of the central nervous system and is caused by the pork tapeworm Taenia solium.
Humans become infected after consuming undercooked food, particularly pork, or water contaminated with tapeworm eggs, or through poor hygiene practices.
Taeniasis is the intestinal infection of the adult tapeworm.
When left untreated, a more serious condition known as cysticercosis develops as T. solium larvae invade body tissues.
When larvae build up in the central nervous system, muscles, skin and eyes, it leads to neurocysticercosis.
It is the most severe form of the disease and a common cause of seizures worldwide.
Symptoms
- Most often, neurocysticercosis in other areas or organs of the body may remain asymptomatic.
- But when the condition affects the brain, it causes severe symptoms like seizures or epilepsy.
Treatment: It is mainly treated symptomatically and by management of seizures by anticonvulsants.

Q1) What is Epilepsy?

It is a neurological disorder characterized by recurrent and unprovoked seizures. Seizures occur due to abnormal electrical activity in the brain, leading to a wide range of symptoms, from brief lapses in consciousness to convulsions.

Source: Neurocysticercosis: Causes, symptoms, treatment and prevention tips