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Mysterious Cysts in the Brain: How Neurocysticercosis Becomes a Hidden Cause of Epilepsy
Neurocysticercosis is an infection caused by the larvae of the pig tapeworm (Taenia solium). When humans eat contaminated food or water, the eggs enter the intestines and develop into cysts. The disease, unlike many other infectious diseases, may have few symptoms for many years, but its underlying neurological effects, especially in developing countries, are a common cause of epileptic seizures.
Cysts in neurocysticercosis can form in the brain and may ultimately lead to neurological symptoms such as epilepsy.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the disease is extremely severe in some areas, especially in poor areas of Asia, sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America. The local environmental sanitation conditions are poor and pigs are closely connected with human life, allowing the disease to spread rapidly.
The development process of neurocysticercosis
The main way people acquire neurocysticercosis is by consuming food or drinking water contaminated with the feces of infected humans, especially pork that has not been cooked thoroughly. When humans ingest these eggs, they hatch into larvae in the intestines and enter the bloodstream, eventually migrating into muscle and nerve tissue to form growth cysts. These cysts are typically 1 to 2 centimeters in size and, over time, can cause pain and swelling and may eventually lead to ongoing neurological symptoms.
Symptoms of neurocysticercosis may include seizures, headaches, and even blurred vision.
Diagnostic methods
Diagnosis of neurocysticercosis usually relies on imaging tests, such as computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which can observe "ring-enhancing brain lesions." These images can help doctors assess the condition of the cyst and determine whether treatment is needed. In addition to imaging technology, the increase in eosinophils in the patient's cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is also an important indicator.
Prevention and treatment
The key to preventing neurocysticercosis lies in good personal hygiene and public health measures, which include: cooking pork thoroughly, improving the availability of toilets and sanitation facilities, and ensuring clean drinking water, etc. These measures can effectively reduce the risk of infection.
For patients who are already infected, treatment includes antiparasitic drugs such as praziquantel or albendazole, and may require concomitant use of steroids to reduce inflammation.
In addition, surgery is sometimes performed to remove cysts, especially those that seriously affect brain function. Although cases of neurocysticercosis are relatively rare in developed countries, due to the impact of globalization, the disease is gradually increasing among immigrants, especially those coming from endemic areas.
Future challenges
As time has progressed, the focus of many studies has turned to finding vaccines to prevent infection in pigs, thereby reducing the risk of infection in humans. Despite significant progress, vaccine development and production costs remain a challenge, especially in resource-limited settings.
In summary, neurocysticercosis not only affects the quality of life of individuals, but also puts pressure on the public health system. As our understanding of this condition continues to improve, will better options for treatment and prevention be realized in the future?
