What is cysticercosis How is it treated?

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. Not all cases of cysticercosis need treatment.

How do you get rid of cysticercosis?

Conventional anticonvulsant therapy is the mainstay of management of neurocysticercosis-associated seizure disorders. Intraventricular cysts should usually be treated by surgical removal (endoscopic if possible).

Is cysticercosis painful?

These effects include seizures, headaches, focal neurologic symptoms, visual disturbances, and localized skeletal muscle nodules and pain. Cysticercosis should be considered in any patient from an endemic area presenting with these symptoms.

What is the incubation period for cysticercosis?

Food and water contaminated with porcine and human waste and poor hygiene are major risk factors. Cysticercosis is not considered contagious. The incubation period is about three and a half years but ranges from 10 days to 10 years.

Is cysticercosis a disease?

Cysticercosis is caused by the pork tapeworm Taenia solium. Cysticercosis is most seen in endemic regions (Central and South America, sub-Saharan Africa, and Asia (including China, southeast Asia, and India)), where 10 to 20 percent of individuals have evidence of the disease.

How common are brain parasites?

Some researchers estimate that as much as 30 percent of the people on earth — more than two billion of us — are carrying little T. gondii tachyzoites around in our brains right now. What might this mean for human behavior?

How can cysticercosis be prevented?

To prevent cysticercosis, the following precautions should be taken:

1. Wash your hands with soap and warm water after using the toilet, changing diapers, and before handling food.
2. Teach children the importance of washing hands to prevent infection.
3. Wash and peel all raw vegetables and fruits before eating.

How important is USG in the diagnosis of isolated soft tissue cysticercosis?

This case series emphasizes the role of USG in the diagnosis of isolated soft tissue cysticercosis. We assessed its value for identifying features such as the location of the cyst, the presence or absence of abscess, and the presence or absence of a scolex within the cyst. Three USG patterns were seen and are described.

What is cysticercosis?

Cysticercosis is the most common parasitic infection of the soft tissues. Cysticercosis is endemic in Mexico, Central and South America, Asia, India, sub-Saharan Africa, and China.[1–3] Due to increasing population mobility, cases of cysticercosis are now also being increasingly seen in developed countries.[3]

When should cysticercosis be considered a differential diagnosis?

Since it is a common soft tissue infection, clinicians should always consider cysticercosis in the differential diagnosis whenever a patient presents with painful or painless swelling of long duration. USG is the initial and most reliable diagnostic modality for a soft tissue swelling.[8]

How many patients with abscess undergo surgical excision for cysticercosis?

Nine of the fifteen patients had abscess and therefore underwent surgical excision and the diagnosis of cysticercosis was histopathologically confirmed. Discussion