What tapeworm causes cysticercosis?

What tapeworm causes cysticercosis?

Cysticercosis is a parasitic tissue infection caused by larval cysts of the tapeworm Taenia solium. These larval cysts infect brain, muscle, or other tissue, and are a major cause of adult onset seizures in most low-income countries.

What organs are affected by cysticercosis?

The organs most commonly affected are the subcutaneous tissues, skeletal muscles, lungs, brain, eyes, liver, and occasionally the heart, thyroid, and pancreas. Widespread dissemination of the cysticerci can result in the involvement of almost any organ in the body.

Can cysticercosis be cured?

Is there treatment for cysticercosis? Yes. Infections are generally treated with anti-parasitic drugs in combination with anti-inflammatory drugs. Surgery is sometimes necessary to treat cysts in certain locations, when patients are not responsive to drug treatment, or to reduce brain swelling.

How do humans get cysticercosis?

Cysticercosis is usually acquired by eating food or drinking water contaminated by tapeworms’ eggs from human feces. Among foods, uncooked vegetables and pork are the major source. The tapeworm eggs are present in the feces of a person infected with the adult worms, a condition known as taeniasis.

Does neurocysticercosis cause brain damage?

Complications. Neurocysticercosis can cause severe complications, primarily stroke, as well as death. Research suggests that 4–12% of people with the disease experience a stroke as a result. Also, if surgery to remove the cysts is necessary, this increases the chance of additional infections.

Can cysticercosis go away on its own?

Not all cases of cysticercosis need treatment. Even if you don’t need treatment to kill the parasite, you may need treatment for the symptoms caused by the infection, such as medication to reduce the number of seizures you have.

What causes cysticercosis in man?

The cause of human cysticercosis is the egg form of Taenia solium (often abbreviated as T. solium and also called pork tapeworm), which is transmitted through the oral-fecal route. Eggs are accidentally ingested from undercooked contaminated meat. The eggs enter the intestine where they develop into larvae.

Is cysticercosis curable?

What kills parasites in the brain?

The infection is treated with albendazole or praziquantel (drugs used to treat parasitic worm infections, called antihelminthic drugs). However, if a person has many cysts, antihelminthic drugs may kill many organisms, causing the brain to swell significantly.

Does neurocysticercosis go away on its own?