title: Three cases of imported neurocysticercosis in Northern Italy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is an important cause of adult-onset seizures in endemic areas, whereas it is emerging in some nonendemic areas as well because of extensive immigration.
  
  
  METHODS
  We describe three cases of imported NCC recently admitted to San Bortolo Hospital in Vicenza, located in Northern Italy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All patients were immigrants. One patient was human immunodeficiency virus positive with severe immunosuppression. The diagnosis of NCC was made on the basis of magnetic resonance results; failure of anti-Toxoplasma, antitubercular, and antifungal therapy; and regression of the cystic lesions after empiric therapy with albendazole. Serology was positive in only one case. In one patient, NCC was diagnosed by biopsy of the brain lesion.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In nonendemic countries, NCC should be included in the differential diagnosis of all patients coming from endemic areas with seizures, hydrocephalus, and compatible lesions on brain imaging. Long-term follow-up is required but may be difficult to implement because these patients tend to move in search of employment. Screening of patient's household contacts for Taenia solium infection should always be carried out.
authors.affiliation: Infectious and Tropical Diseases Unit, San Bortolo Hospital, Vicenza, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Teresa
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Giordani
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tamarozzi
authors.forename: Federico
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cattaneo
authors.forename: Enrico
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Brunetti
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015766:Albendazole / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000818:Animals; D000923:Anticestodal Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006849:Hydrocephalus / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D007558:Italy; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020019:Neurocysticercosis / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D012640:Seizures / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D012698:Serologic Tests / Q000379:methods; D041201:Taenia solium / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014195:Travel; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000923:Anticestodal Agents; D015766:Albendazole