Neurocysticercosis

21-10-2023

11:58 AM

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1 min read
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Overview:

Recently, health experts shared the information related to the 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