 Cysticercosis is the most common parasitic infection

of the CNS
 Caused by larval forms of pork tapeworm Taenia
solium
 This Parasitic disease is becoming increasingly
prevalent in industrialized nations such as the United
States, largely due to increased immigration of people
from these endemic areas.
 The pork tapeworm can
vary in size but is
notable for a scolex
(head) with
approximately 25
hooklets, and 4 suckers
The body has
appox 700-1000
segments, and
about 40
microns in
diameter with a
striated shell.
 The pork tapeworm
or Taenia solium
begins its life cycle
when a pig ingests
the parasite, in egg
form, via food or
water that has been
contaminated by
human or animal
feces that contain
the tapeworm eggs.
 Once inside a human
host, the parasite latches
onto the intestinal wall
and develops into a
tapeworm. These worms
release a quarter of a
million eggs every day,
which pass out of the
body in feces.
 When a person who has
the adult pork tapeworm
does not wash his or her
hands properly after
going to the bathroom
they can pass the eggs of
the adult tapeworms to
other humans.
 When a human ingests
the eggs of the adult
pork tapeworm, the
parasite burrows through
the small intestine and
travels through the
bloodstream and can
develop into cysticerci
(cysts) in the muscle,
brain or eyes
 The most serious form of
cysticercosis occurs when
cysts form in the brain or
on the spinal cord. The
symptoms of this
particular infection,
neurocysticercosis include
seizures, headaches,
confusion, lack of
attention and difficulty
balancing. In severe cases,
brain swelling or
hydrocephalus can occur.
 Neurocysticercosis
can be fatal. These
symptoms can
occur months or
even up to 10
years after
infection, the
symptoms usually
start when the
cysts are dying.
 Anticysticercal drugs
 Corticosteroids
 Surgical removal or decompression of the
cyst
 Praziquantel and Albendazole
 Both are drugs used in the elimination of
the cysticerci in the brain or at least
reduce their number
 To prevent cysticercosis, avoid eating
raw or undercooked pork and other pig
products. When traveling in developing
countries, wash hands frequently and
particularly before handling food. Wash
and peel raw vegetables and fruits, and
drink only bottled or boiled water.
Carbonated water from cans or bottles is
also safe to drink, but water from
drinking fountains and ice cubes should
be avoided.
 After entering the CNS the cysticerci are
viable and elicit very little inflammation
 It can remain like this for long time
protected by the Blood-Brain-Barrier
 After variable amount of time the cyst
starts to die resulting in inflammation
 Control, C. f. (n.d.). Retrieved March 29, 2009, from Center for
Disease control:
www.dpd.cdc.gov/.../body_Cysticercosis_page1.htm
 Garg, R. K. (1998). Neurocysticercosis. Postgrad Medical Journal ,
74:321-326.
 Nation Master. (n.d.). Retrieved March 28, 2009, from Nation
Master:
http://www.nationmaster.com/encyclopedia/Cysticercosis
 Ucla Health System. (n.d.). Retrieved March 28, 2009, from
Neurocysticercosis: neurosurgery.ucla.edu/body.cfm?id=186
 Life with NPH. (n.d.). Retrieved March 28, 2009, from
www.lifenph.com/surgery.asp