Taenia solium cysticercosis.
The larval stage of the pork tapeworm (Taenia solium) infects the human nervous system, causing neurocysticercosis. This disease is one of the main causes of epileptic seizures in many less developed countries and is also increasingly seen in more developed countries because of immigration from endemic areas. Little information is available on the natural evolution of taeniasis or cysticercosis. Available therapeutic measures include steroids, treatments for symptoms, surgery, and, more controversially, antiparasitic drugs to kill brain parasites. Efforts to control and eliminate this disease are underway through antiparasitic treatment of endemic populations, development of pig vaccines, and other measures.
García
Héctor H
HH
Cysticercosis Unit, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Neurologicas, Jr Ancash 1271, Barrios Altos, Lima, Peru. hgarcia@terra.com.pe
Gonzalez
Armando E
AE
Evans
Carlton A W
CA
Gilman
Robert H
RH
D000818:Animals; D000977:Antiparasitic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003551:Cysticercosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D003906:Developing Countries / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D020019:Neurocysticercosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D013552:Swine / Q000469:parasitology; D013553:Swine Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000517:prevention & control; D041201:Taenia solium; D013622:Taeniasis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control
D000977:Antiparasitic Agents