Cysticercosis SIStuhsirKOsis

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Cysticercosis(SIS-tuh-sir-KO-sis)

• By Dru Davis

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Definition

• Cysticercosis is an infection caused by the pork
  tapeworm, Taenia solium. Infection starts when
  the tapeworm larvae enter the body and form
  cysticerci (SIS-tuh-sir-KEY) (cysts). When
  cysticerci are found in the brain, the condition
  is called neurocysticercosis (NEW-row
  SIS-tuh-sir-KO-sis) AKA brain worm.

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Something to see!

• Here is a cysticercosis in 5 minutes of fame.
  http//www.myspace.com/porktapeworm

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How can you get it?

• Eating raw or uncooked pork
• By swallowing pork tapeworm eggs. The eggs can be
  spread through food, water, or surfaces
  contaminated with feces.

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Where do they go in the body?

• You swallow the egg(s) and they can work their
  way into the body from the GI tract once hatched.
  It is only Taenia Solium until it actually works
  out of the GI tract and into the body and than it
  is called cysticercosis. They usually make a home
  in muscles but can work their way into the spinal
  fluid or brain.

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Signs and Symptoms

• These depend on where they are found and how many.

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Signs and Symptoms in

• Muscles- may feel lumps under skin and usually no
  symptoms
• Abdomen-mild, mid abdominal pain
• Eyes- rare, but may float into them causing
  blurred/disturbed vision. Infection may cause
  swelling and detachment of the retina.

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Signs and Symptoms in

• Brain and spinal cord (neurocysticercosis)-
  seizures, and headaches are the most common
  symptoms. However, confusion, lack of attention
  to people and surroundings, difficulty with
  balance, swelling of the brain may also occur.
  Death can happen suddenly with heavy infections.

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How to detect in the pre-hospital setting?

• Worms/eggs in feces
• Lumps under skin
• Signs and symptoms from a person who has lived in
  filthy environments (transients, third world
  countries, immigrants from poor countries,etc.).

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Treatment

• anti-parasitic drugs in combination with
  anti-inflammatory drugs(ex. praziguantel and
  albendazole. Surgery is sometimes necessary to
  treat cases in the eyes that are not responsive
  to drug treatment, or to reduce brain swelling.
  Not all cases of cysticercosis are treated.

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How to prevent?

• Avoid eating raw or undercooked meats(pork).
• Freezing meats
• Washing hands
• Wash and peel all vegetables and fruits.
• Drink bottled water that follows strict health
  codes or boil for at least 60 seconds.

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References

• http//www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasites/cysticerco
  sis/factsht_cysticercosis.htm
• http//www.drnatura.com/parasites.php
• http//www.healthatoz.com/healthatoz/Atoz/common/s
  tandard/transform.jsp?requestURI/healthatoz/Atoz/
  ency/tapeworm_diseases.jsp
• COPSTEAD/BANASIK- Pathophysiology 3rd edition.
  Page 200
• Youtube.com (videos)
• Google.com (images)