Neurocysticercosis: Tapeworm in the Brain
Did you know that you can get tapeworm in the brain? It goes by the name of neurocysticercosis. The pork tapeworm, the Taenia solium parasite, causes neurocysticercosis. Consequently, be sure to cook pork properly.
Neurocysticercosis is a very serious disease that kills about 10% of the patients who develop the condition. Remarkably, it is the most common cause of acquired epilepsy, meaning epilepsy not caused by genetic or congenital abnormalities. Furthermore, neurocysticercosis can cause brain damage, leading to permanent neuropsychological impairment. You’ll find an overview of neurocysticercosis here.
A Disease of the Poor
Neurocysticercosis is a disease of the poor. Poverty and socioeconomic factors underpin neurocysticercosis. Tapeworm in the brain occurs in contexts where there is poor sanitation, lack of access to clean water, and inadequate meat inspection. Additionally, improper disposal of human waste allow tapeworm eggs to contaminate food and water. Furthermore, poverty means poorly cooked pork can transmit cysticerci.
Neurocysticercosis is most prevalent in low- and middle-income regions such as sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, and parts of Asia (e.g., India and China), where poverty exacerbates exposure to unsanitary conditions. Neurocysticercosis is rife in rural communities where pigs roam freely and eat exposed human faeces.
Additionally, people in impoverished areas often have limited access to good health care. That means inadequate diagnostics, like brain scans to identify brain cysts. Antiparasitic treatment (like albendazole) or anticonvulsants to manage seizures, may be unavailable.
Furthermore, low health literacy often correlates with poverty, contributing to the failure to identify the disease early and adopt preventive strategies.
Tapeworm in the Brain: A Case Study
You can see an example of a massively infected brain in the brain scan image above. Interestingly, the small white spots represent tapeworm. Isn’t it spectacular? Often, the tape worm dies off and calcifies, which makes it show up as a bright, white spot on the scan.
This 41-year old man had bad headaches and epileptic seizures for a month. His condition then deteriorated and he lost consciousness. In hospital a tracheostomy was necessary because he was unable to breath by himself. A follow-up scan done two weeks later showed no meaningful change. Although the doctors were able to wean him off the ventilator, his neuropsychological condition remained unchanged. Notwithstanding treatment, two months later he was still severely ill and barely responsive. At that stage, his eyes were open, but he could hardly move, and he remained in a minimally conscious state. Read more on this case in the Indian Journal of Critical Care.
