🦠 Cysticercosis – Overview
Cysticercosis is a parasitic infection caused by the larval stage of the pork tapeworm (Taenia solium). It occurs when a person accidentally ingests the eggs of the tapeworm, usually through contaminated food or water, or poor hygiene.
🧬 Cause
- Caused by Taenia solium (pork tapeworm)
- Different from taeniasis, which is an intestinal infection caused by eating undercooked pork containing tapeworm larvae
- Cysticercosis occurs when a person swallows eggs — not larvae — and the larvae invade tissues
🔄 How It Spreads
- Person eats T. solium eggs (from contaminated food, water, or unwashed hands).
- Eggs hatch in the intestine → larvae enter bloodstream.
- Larvae form cysts (cysticerci) in muscles, eyes, brain, or skin.
🧠 Types of Cysticercosis (Based on Cyst Location)
| Type | Location | Symptoms |
|---|---|---|
| Neurocysticercosis | Brain/spinal cord | Seizures, headaches, confusion, hydrocephalus, stroke-like symptoms |
| Ocular cysticercosis | Eyes | Blurred vision, eye pain, vision loss |
| Muscular cysticercosis | Muscles | Muscle pain, lumps, stiffness (often asymptomatic) |
| Subcutaneous cysticercosis | Under the skin | Painless nodules or lumps |
🧪 Diagnosis
- CT scan or MRI (for brain involvement)
- Blood tests (antibody detection)
- Biopsy (for skin or muscle nodules)
- Ophthalmic exam (for eye involvement)
💊 Treatment
- Antiparasitic drugs: Albendazole or praziquantel
- Corticosteroids: To reduce inflammation caused by dying cysts
- Antiepileptic drugs: If seizures occur
- Surgery: For eye cysts or brain pressure relief
⚠️ Complications
- Permanent brain or eye damage
- Chronic seizures
- Death (in severe untreated neurocysticercosis)
🛡️ Prevention
- Wash hands regularly, especially before eating or cooking
- Drink clean, filtered water
- Cook pork thoroughly
- Improve sanitation and hygiene
- Treat people infected with the adult tapeworm (taeniasis) to stop the spread