Neurocysticercosis

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