Summary about Disease
Cysticercosis is a parasitic tissue infection caused by the larval cysts of the tapeworm Taenia solium. These cysts can infect the brain, muscle, or other tissues and are often asymptomatic. However, when cysts develop in the brain, the condition is called neurocysticercosis, which can cause seizures and other neurological problems. It's preventable with proper hygiene and sanitation.
Symptoms
Symptoms vary depending on the location and number of cysts in the body. Some people may not experience any symptoms for years.
Neurocysticercosis (brain): Seizures are the most common symptom. Other symptoms can include headaches, confusion, difficulty with balance, stroke, and even death.
Muscle cysts: May cause lumps under the skin, muscle pain, or weakness.
Eye cysts: Blurred vision, eye pain, or even blindness.
Causes
Cysticercosis is caused by ingesting Taenia solium eggs. People get infected by:
Eating food contaminated with Taenia solium eggs. This often happens when food handlers who have tapeworm infection don't wash their hands properly after using the bathroom.
Swallowing Taenia solium eggs picked up from surfaces contaminated with feces from a person with a *Taenia solium* tapeworm.
Auto-infection: A person with a Taenia solium tapeworm can reinfect themselves if they have poor hygiene and accidentally ingest the eggs.
Medicine Used
Anthelmintic drugs: Praziquantel and albendazole are commonly used to kill the cysts. Albendazole is generally preferred for neurocysticercosis.
Anti-inflammatory drugs: Corticosteroids (like prednisone) are often prescribed to reduce inflammation in the brain caused by the dying cysts, especially in neurocysticercosis.
Antiepileptic drugs: For neurocysticercosis patients who experience seizures.
Surgery: In some cases, surgery may be necessary to remove cysts, especially those in the eyes or if they are causing hydrocephalus (fluid buildup in the brain).
Is Communicable
Cysticercosis itself is not directly communicable from person to person. You cannot "catch" cysticercosis from someone who has cysts in their muscles or brain. However, a person with a *Taenia solium* tapeworm infection in their intestines can spread the *eggs* through their feces if they don't practice good hygiene. These eggs can then contaminate food or surfaces and infect other people, leading to cysticercosis. It's the *eggs* that are infectious, not the cysts.
Precautions
Wash hands thoroughly: Wash hands with soap and water after using the toilet and before preparing or eating food.
Cook pork thoroughly: Pork should be cooked to an internal temperature of at least 145°F (63°C) and allowed to rest for at least 3 minutes.
Wash and peel fruits and vegetables: Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly, especially if they are eaten raw. Peeling them can further reduce the risk.
Proper sanitation: Ensure proper sewage disposal and sanitation practices to prevent fecal contamination of food and water.
Food handler hygiene: Food handlers should be trained on proper hygiene practices and undergo regular screening for intestinal parasites.
Treat tapeworm carriers: If someone in the household has a Taenia solium tapeworm infection, they should be treated promptly to prevent the spread of eggs.
How long does an outbreak last?
There is no outbreak of cysticercosis, but rather individual infections. The cyst may remain viable for years. There is no answer to this question.
How is it diagnosed?
Physical exam and medical history: The doctor will ask about symptoms and travel history.
Neuroimaging: CT scans or MRIs of the brain are used to detect cysts in the brain (neurocysticercosis).
Blood tests: Antibody tests can detect the presence of antibodies against Taenia solium, but these tests are not always accurate.
Biopsy: A biopsy of a suspected cyst can confirm the diagnosis.
Timeline of Symptoms
The timeline of symptoms can vary greatly:
Initial infection: A person can be infected with the Taenia solium eggs and develop cysts without experiencing any symptoms for months or even years.
Neurocysticercosis: Once cysts begin to develop in the brain, it can take months or years for symptoms to appear. The most common initial symptom is often seizures. The timeline can also be related to the degeneration of cysts in the brain, which causes inflammation.
Muscle or subcutaneous cysts: These may appear as painless lumps under the skin, sometimes years after the initial infection.
Important Considerations
Neurocysticercosis is a leading cause of acquired epilepsy in developing countries.
Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to prevent serious complications.
Prevention through good hygiene and sanitation is the most effective way to control cysticercosis.
Treatment can be complex and requires careful monitoring to manage inflammation and side effects of medications.
Public health measures are essential in high-risk areas to control the spread of Taenia solium.