Human Neurocysticercosis: An Overview
Human cysticercosis is caused by ingestion of <i>T. solium</i> eggs from taenia carriers. Neurocysticercosis (NCC), defined as the infection of the CNS and the meninges by the larval stage of <i>Taenia solium</i>, is the most common helminthic infection of the CNS worldwide....
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-10-01
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| Series: | Pathogens |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/11/10/1212 |
| _version_ | 1797470451689062400 |
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| author | Oscar H. Del Brutto |
| author_facet | Oscar H. Del Brutto |
| author_sort | Oscar H. Del Brutto |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Human cysticercosis is caused by ingestion of <i>T. solium</i> eggs from taenia carriers. Neurocysticercosis (NCC), defined as the infection of the CNS and the meninges by the larval stage of <i>Taenia solium</i>, is the most common helminthic infection of the CNS worldwide. Parasites may lodge in brain parenchyma, subarachnoid space, ventricular system, or spinal cord, causing pathological changes that account for the pleomorphism of this disease. Seizures/epilepsy are the most common clinical manifestation, but other patients present with headache, focal deficits, intracranial hypertension, or cognitive decline. Accurate diagnosis of NCC is possible after interpretation of clinical data together with findings of neuroimaging studies and results of immunological tests. However, neuroimaging studies are fundamental for diagnosis because immunological test and clinical manifestations only provide circumstantial evidence of NCC. The introduction of cysticidal drugs changed the prognosis of most NCC patients. These drugs have been shown to reduce the burden of infection and to improve the clinical course of the disease in many patients. Efforts should be directed to eradicate the disease through the implementation of control programs against all the steps in the life cycle of <i>T. solium</i>, including carriers of the adult tapeworm, infected pigs, and eggs in the environment. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T19:37:25Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-44453fa6bb7f45e39baaccc76db7a2b6 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-0817 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T19:37:25Z |
| publishDate | 2022-10-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Pathogens |
| spelling | doaj.art-44453fa6bb7f45e39baaccc76db7a2b62023-11-24T01:50:00ZengMDPI AGPathogens2076-08172022-10-011110121210.3390/pathogens11101212Human Neurocysticercosis: An OverviewOscar H. Del Brutto0School of Medicine and Research Center, Universidad Espíritu Santo, Urbanización Toscana, Apt 3H, Km 4.5 vía Puntilla, Samborondón 092301, EcuadorHuman cysticercosis is caused by ingestion of <i>T. solium</i> eggs from taenia carriers. Neurocysticercosis (NCC), defined as the infection of the CNS and the meninges by the larval stage of <i>Taenia solium</i>, is the most common helminthic infection of the CNS worldwide. Parasites may lodge in brain parenchyma, subarachnoid space, ventricular system, or spinal cord, causing pathological changes that account for the pleomorphism of this disease. Seizures/epilepsy are the most common clinical manifestation, but other patients present with headache, focal deficits, intracranial hypertension, or cognitive decline. Accurate diagnosis of NCC is possible after interpretation of clinical data together with findings of neuroimaging studies and results of immunological tests. However, neuroimaging studies are fundamental for diagnosis because immunological test and clinical manifestations only provide circumstantial evidence of NCC. The introduction of cysticidal drugs changed the prognosis of most NCC patients. These drugs have been shown to reduce the burden of infection and to improve the clinical course of the disease in many patients. Efforts should be directed to eradicate the disease through the implementation of control programs against all the steps in the life cycle of <i>T. solium</i>, including carriers of the adult tapeworm, infected pigs, and eggs in the environment.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/11/10/1212neurocysticercosiscysticercosis<i>Taenia solium</i>epilepsyheadachealbendazole |
| spellingShingle | Oscar H. Del Brutto Human Neurocysticercosis: An Overview Pathogens neurocysticercosis cysticercosis <i>Taenia solium</i> epilepsy headache albendazole |
| title | Human Neurocysticercosis: An Overview |
| title_full | Human Neurocysticercosis: An Overview |
| title_fullStr | Human Neurocysticercosis: An Overview |
| title_full_unstemmed | Human Neurocysticercosis: An Overview |
| title_short | Human Neurocysticercosis: An Overview |
| title_sort | human neurocysticercosis an overview |
| topic | neurocysticercosis cysticercosis <i>Taenia solium</i> epilepsy headache albendazole |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/11/10/1212 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT oscarhdelbrutto humanneurocysticercosisanoverview |