neurocysticercosis
Cerebral pork parasite
Neurocysticercosis is a parasitic infection of the central nervous system caused by larval cysts of the pork tapeworm settling in brain tissue.
It occurs when someone ingests tapeworm eggs, typically through contaminated food or water, and the larvae migrate to the brain rather than the intestines.
The condition is a leading cause of acquired epilepsy worldwide, particularly in regions where pigs are raised and sanitation is poor.
Symptoms range from seizures and headaches to more severe neurological complications depending on cyst location and number.
Involuntary convulsions or takings
- epilepsyBrain disorder causing seizures
- convulsionsInvoluntary muscular contractions
- anticonvulsantsSeizure-preventing medications
- intracranialWithin the skull
cerebral · hydrocephalus · encephalitis · meningitis · headache · ventricles · cortex · calcification
Parasitic flatworm from swine
- larvaeImmature metamorphosing creatures
- helminthParasitic worm organism
- pork tapewormParasitic flatworm from swine
- scolexTapeworm's attachment structure
eggs · cyst · lifecycle · zoonosis · antiparasitic
Native to one area
- prevalenceState of being widespread
- developing countriesNations with growing economies
- Latin AmericaRomance-speaking Western Hemisphere
- sub-Saharan AfricaContinent south of Sahara
Southeast Asia · India · rural · poverty · public health · tropical · subtropical · morbidity
Inflammation-suppressing steroid medications
- anticonvulsantsSeizure-preventing medications
- anti-inflammatoryInflammation-reducing agent
- dexamethasoneSynthetic corticosteroid reducing inflammation
- therapyCurative mental treatment
Visualizing nervous system structure
Transmission via ingested waste
- contaminationIntroduction of impurities
- sanitationCleanliness for public health
- hygienePractices maintaining cleanliness
- food safetyIllness prevention through handling
handwashing · water supply · pig farming · ingestion · carriers
seizures
Involuntary convulsions or takings
- epilepsyBrain disorder causing seizures
- convulsionsInvoluntary muscular contractions
- anticonvulsantsSeizure-preventing medications
intracranial · cerebral · hydrocephalus · encephalitis · meningitis · headache · ventricles · cortex · calcification · edema
Taenia solium
Parasitic flatworm from swine
- larvaeImmature metamorphosing creatures
- helminthParasitic worm organism
- pork tapewormParasitic flatworm from swine
endemic
Native to one area
- prevalenceState of being widespread
- developing countriesNations with growing economies
- Latin AmericaRomance-speaking Western Hemisphere
sub-Saharan Africa · Southeast Asia · India · rural · poverty · public health · tropical · subtropical · morbidity · surveillance
corticosteroids
Inflammation-suppressing steroid medications
- anticonvulsantsSeizure-preventing medications
- anti-inflammatoryInflammation-reducing agent
- dexamethasoneSynthetic corticosteroid reducing inflammation
neuroimaging
Visualizing nervous system structure
fecal-oral
Transmission via ingested waste
- contaminationIntroduction of impurities
- sanitationCleanliness for public health
- hygienePractices maintaining cleanliness
food safety · handwashing · water supply · pig farming · ingestion · carriers
- Neuroimmunologymultiple sclerosis, blood-brain barrier, myelin, transverse myelitis, relapsing-remitting
- Brain Lesionstumor, glioma, meningioma, glioblastoma, metastasis
- brain parasitesbrain parasites, brain worm, brain-eating amoeba, Toxoplasma gondii, pork tapeworm
- Neurovirusesrabies, rabies virus, poliovirus, polio, West Nile virus