Cysticercosis Disease

What is Cycticercosis?
Cysticercosis is a parasitic tissue infection caused by larval cysts of the tapeworm
Taenia solium. Swine are the usual intermediate host for T. solium but humans,
the usual definitive host, can serve as accidental intermediate hosts following
ingestion of infectious eggs. These larval cysts infect brain, muscle, or other
tissue, and are a major cause of adult onset seizures in most low-income
countries.
Etiology
1 Parasitic Infections 2 Transmission through
Contaminated Food and Water
Cysticercosis is caused by
the larval stage of the The primary mode of
parasitic tapeworm transmission is through
Taenia solium. the ingestion of food or
water contaminated with
Taenia solium eggs.
3 Person-to-Person
Transmission
Cysticercosis can also be
transmitted through direct
contact with an infected person,
particularly if they have tapeworm
eggs on their hands or in their
feces.
Pathogenesis
1 Ingestion of Tapeworm Eggs

Tapeworm eggs are ingested,

usually from eating
Migration and Development 2 undercooked pork with larvae
The eggs hatch in the intestine cysts.
and the larvae penetrate the
intestinal wall, entering the 3 Cyst Formation
bloodstream and migrating to
various tissues. The larvae encyst in the tissues,
forming fluid-filled cysts that
Inflammatory Response 4 can cause damage to the
affected organs.
As the cysts degenerate, they
can trigger an intense
inflammatory response, leading
to tissue damage and clinical
symptoms.
 Cysticercosis
Pathogenesis Diagram
Signs and Symptoms
Mild to Moderate Infection
1. Asymptomatic: In many cases, cysticercosis
may not cause any noticeable symptoms,
especially when the larvae are encysted in
muscles or other tissues.
2. Mild gastrointestinal symptoms: there may
be mild abdominal pain, nausea, or diarrhea.
Severe Infection
1. Neurocysticercosis: neurological symptoms including seizures,
headaches, confusion, difficulty with balance and coordination,
hydrocephalus, weakness or paralysis, and sisual disturbances.
2. Ocular cysticercosis: loss of vision or blindness and eye pain and
inflammation.
3. Cysticercosis in other organs
- Subcutaneous cysticercosis: May present as palpable lumps under
the skin.
- Cardiac cysticercosis: Can cause cardiac symptoms such as
arrhythmias.
- Muscular cysticercosis: May lead to muscle pain or weakness.
Diagnosis
Clinical Examination Imaging Tests

Physical examination and evaluation of Radiological imaging, such as CT scans

symptoms can help in identifying or MRIs, can detect the presence of
possible cases of cysticercosis. cysts in specific organs.

Serological Tests Biopsy

Blood tests that detect antibodies In some cases, a tissue biopsy may be
against the tapeworm can be used to necessary to confirm the presence of
confirm a diagnosis. cysticercosis.
Treatment

Medications Surgical Intervention

• Antiparasitic medications like albendazole or In severe cases, surgical removal of cysts
praziquantel are commonly used to treat cysticercosis. may be required to alleviate symptoms
• Anticonvulsant Medications: These are prescribed to and prevent complications.
manage and prevent seizures, which are common
symptoms of neurocysticercosis.
• Corticosteroids: Used to reduce inflammation and
cerebral edema in cases of severe neurological
symptoms.
References
• Cleveland Clinic. (2023). Cysticercosis. Retrieved from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/23534-
cysticercosis

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2023). Cysticercosis. Retrieved from
https://www.cdc.gov/dpdx/cysticercosis/index.html

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2023). Cysticercosis. Retrieved from
https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/cysticercosis/index.html

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2023). • Cysticercosis: Health professionals. Retrieved from
https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/cysticercosis/health_professionals/index.html

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2023). Cysticercosis: Diagnosis. Retrieved from
https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/cysticercosis/diagnosis.html

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2023). Cysticercosis: Frequently asked questions. Retrieved from
https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/cysticercosis/gen_info/faqs.html