Epileptiform seizures revealing neurocysticercosis: report of two clinical cases in Libreville, Gabon.
Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is the most common helminth infection of the central nervous system. It is caused by the larval form of the tapeworm Taenia solium and is increasingly recognized as a major cause of neurologic disease worldwide. Epilepsy is the usual mode of revelation. Neuroimaging, including computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, combined with serodiagnostic techniques have led to this increased recognition. We report on two cases (one co-infected with the HIV) of NCC diagnosed in 2006 and 2008 at the Omar Bongo Ondimba Army Teaching Hospital. New-onset epilepsy revealed the two cases. Medical treatment with albendazole, anti-epileptic drugs and corticosteroids led to full recovery. NCC should be considered in tropical countries as a leading cause of epilepsy. Moreover, NCC should be included in the differential diagnosis of neurologic infections in HIV patients in endemic populations.
Okome-Nkoumou
M M L
MM
Département des Maladies Infectieuses, Faculté de Médecine de Libreville, BP 212, Libreville, Gabon. okomem@hotmail.com
Ondounda
M
M
Dzeing-Ella
A
A
Mounguengui
D
D
Madjinou
M I Nziengui
MI
Clevenbergh
Ph
P
Magne
C
C
Nzenze
J R
JR
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D015766:Albendazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D000909:Antibodies, Helminth / Q000032:analysis; D000923:Anticestodal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005681:Gabon; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020019:Neurocysticercosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy; D010634:Phenobarbital / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012640:Seizures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D041201:Taenia solium / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000909:Antibodies, Helminth; D000923:Anticestodal Agents; D015766:Albendazole; D010634:Phenobarbital