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Veeravigrom M, Thampratankul L. Neurocysticercosis in Children. Pediatr Clin North Am 2022; 69:115-127. [PMID: 34794669 DOI: 10.1016/j.pcl.2021.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Neurocysticercosis is one of the most common parasitic infections in the central nervous system in children. The usual clinical manifestation is new-onset focal seizure. However, there are other multiple clinical manifestations, such as increased intracranial pressure, meningoencephalitis, spinal cord syndrome, and blindness. The diagnosis needs high index of suspicion with clinical history, physical examination, neuroimaging, and immunologic studies. Recent advances in neuroimaging and serology facilitate the accurate diagnosis. Management of neurocysticercosis should focus on critical symptoms first, such as the use of antiepileptic drugs and medical or surgical therapy for increased intracranial pressure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Montida Veeravigrom
- Section of Child Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, The University of Chicago Biological Sciences, 5841 South Maryland Avenue, Room C-526, MC 3055, Chicago, IL 60637, USA.
| | - Lunliya Thampratankul
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, 270 Rama VI Road, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
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2
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Ursini T, Di Giacomo R, Caldrer S, Angheben A, Zammarchi L, Filipponi S, Pizio NR, Bisoffi Z, Buonfrate D. Neurocysticercosis-related seizures in the post-partum period: two cases and a review of the literature. THE LANCET. INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2020; 20:e204-e214. [PMID: 32569624 DOI: 10.1016/s1473-3099(20)30240-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2020] [Revised: 03/13/2020] [Accepted: 03/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Neurocysticercosis, the infection of the CNS with larval cysts of Taenia solium, is a leading cause of seizures in low-income countries. The clinical presentation of neurocysticercosis is variable and depends on the number, size, and location of cysticerci, and on the immune response of the host. In most patients, the affected site is the brain parenchyma, where cysts can precipitate seizures. Neurocysticercosis has seldom been described in pregnant women. In this Grand Round, we report two cases of pregnant women who immigrated to Italy from Bolivia and Ecuador, and who developed seizures in the early post-partum period, due to calcified parenchymal neurocysticercosis lesions. We discuss the complex interactions between neurocysticercosis and the immune system in pregnancy and the post-partum period. Building on this scenario, we propose practices for the management of neurocysticercosis in pregnancy and the post-partum period, highlighting important gaps in the literature that should be addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara Ursini
- Department of Infectious - Tropical Diseases and Microbiology, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar, Italy.
| | - Roberta Di Giacomo
- Epilepsy Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Sara Caldrer
- Department of Infectious - Tropical Diseases and Microbiology, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar, Italy
| | - Andrea Angheben
- Department of Infectious - Tropical Diseases and Microbiology, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Zammarchi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy; Referral Centre for Tropical Diseases of Tuscany, Infectious and Tropical Diseases Unit, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Stefania Filipponi
- Stroke Unit, Department of Neurological Disorders, Santa Chiara Hospital, Trento, Italy
| | | | - Zeno Bisoffi
- Department of Infectious - Tropical Diseases and Microbiology, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar, Italy; Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Dora Buonfrate
- Department of Infectious - Tropical Diseases and Microbiology, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar, Italy
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3
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Modak A, Suthar R, Sharawat IK, Sankhyan N, Sahu JK, Malhi P, Khandelwal N. An Ambispective Cohort Study to Assess Seizure Recurrences in Children with Calcified Parenchymal Neurocysticercosis. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2020; 101:812-820. [PMID: 31452498 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.19-0278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Calcified neurocysticercosis (NCC), previously thought to be a dead end, is an important risk factor for seizure recurrences. We studied the pattern of seizure recurrences and associated radiological findings in children with calcified NCC. In this ambispective cohort study, we enrolled children (age 1-15 years) with calcified NCC attending the pediatric NCC clinic between January 2017 and December 2017. Retrospective data were collected from the hospital records, and all enrolled children were prospectively followed up till June 2018. The study group divided into two groups: 1) children first presenting with calcified granuloma and 2) children presented with ring-enhancing lesion (REL) and transformed into the calcified lesion during follow-up imaging. During the study period (January 2017-December 2017), 520 children with NCC were screened and 128 with calcified NCC were enrolled. The mean age was 10.8 ± 3.2 years, and 63% were boys. Among 128 children, 40 (31%) had calcified granuloma and 88 (69%) had REL transformed to calcified granuloma. Sixty-one (49%) children had seizure recurrence: 22 (58%) within calcified granuloma group and 39 (45%) within REL transformed to calcified granuloma group (P = 0.18). Seizure recurrence was associated with the presence of perilesional edema (PE) in 35 (57.4%) children on computed tomography scan. The median interval between two seizure recurrences was 30 (17-56) months, and the median antiepileptic drug-free interval was 17 (12-22) months. The total duration of continued seizures was 42 (26-58) months, slightly longer in children with REL transformed to calcified granuloma group (42, 95% CI: 18-66 months) in comparison to calcified granuloma group (35, 95% CI: 10-60 months, P = 0.32). To conclude, children with calcified NCC have seizure recurrences over a prolonged period. Seizure recurrences are intermittent and may be interspersed with a prolonged period of quiescence in between. The presence of PE and contrast enhancement around the lesion during seizure recurrence suggests lesion reactivation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhijit Modak
- Pediatric Neurology Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Advanced Pediatric Center, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, India
| | - Renu Suthar
- Pediatric Neurology Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Advanced Pediatric Center, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, India
| | - Indar Kumar Sharawat
- Pediatric Neurology Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Advanced Pediatric Center, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, India
| | - Naveen Sankhyan
- Pediatric Neurology Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Advanced Pediatric Center, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, India
| | - Jitendra Kumar Sahu
- Pediatric Neurology Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Advanced Pediatric Center, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, India
| | - Prahbhjot Malhi
- Pediatric Neurology Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Advanced Pediatric Center, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, India
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4
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Zammarchi L, Angheben A, Fantoni T, Chiappini E, Mantella A, Galli L, Marchese V, Zavarise G, Bisoffi Z, Bartoloni A. Screening for neurocysticercosis in internationally adopted children: yield, cost and performance of serological tests, Italy, 2001 to 2016. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 23. [PMID: 30301492 PMCID: PMC6178589 DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es.2018.23.40.1700709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is one of the leading causes of epilepsy worldwide. The majority of cases in Europe are diagnosed in immigrants. Currently in Italy, routine serological screening for cysticercosis is recommended for internationally adopted children (IAC) coming from endemic countries. Methods: We retrospectively analyse the results of the serological screening for cysticercosis in IAC 16 years old or younger, attending two Italian third level paediatric clinics in 2001–16. Results: Of 2,973 children included in the study, 2,437 (82.0%) were screened by enzyme-linked immune electro transfer blot (EITB), 1,534 (51.6%) by ELISA, and 998 (33.6%) by both tests. The seroprevalence of cysticercosis ranged between 1.7% and 8.9% according to EITB and ELISA, respectively. Overall, 13 children were diagnosed with NCC accounting for a NCC frequency of 0.4% (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.2–0.6%). Among the 168 seropositive children, only seven (4.2%) were diagnosed with NCC. Of these children, three were asymptomatic and four presented epilepsy. Among seronegative children (n = 2,805), seven presented with neurological symptoms that lead to the diagnosis of NCC in six cases. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value for the diagnosis of NCC were 54.5%, 98.6%, 14.6%, 99.8% for EITB and 22.2%, 91.1%, 1.4%, 99.5% for ELISA. The yield of the screening programme was 437 NCC cases per 100,000. The number needed to screen to detect one NCC case was 228. The cost per NCC case detected was EUR 10,372. Conclusion: On the base of our findings we suggest the ongoing serological screening for cysticercosis to be discontinued, at least in Italy, until further evidence in support will be available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Zammarchi
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Unit, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy.,Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Andrea Angheben
- Centre for Tropical Diseases, Sacro Cuore - Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar, Italy
| | - Teresa Fantoni
- Health Human Sciences School, Medicine and Surgery Degree Course, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Elena Chiappini
- Infectious Disease Unit, Meyer University Hospital, Department of Health Science, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Antonia Mantella
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Luisa Galli
- Infectious Disease Unit, Meyer University Hospital, Department of Health Science, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Valentina Marchese
- University Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases & WHO Collaborating Centre for TB/HIV and TB elimination, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.,Centre for Tropical Diseases, Sacro Cuore - Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar, Italy
| | - Giorgio Zavarise
- Department of Pediatrics, Hospital Sacro Cuore - Don Calabria, Negrar, Italy
| | - Zeno Bisoffi
- Centre for Tropical Diseases, Sacro Cuore - Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar, Italy
| | - Alessandro Bartoloni
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Unit, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy.,Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
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Carpio A, Fleury A, Romo ML, Abraham R. Neurocysticercosis: the good, the bad, and the missing. Expert Rev Neurother 2018. [DOI: 10.1080/14737175.2018.1451328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Arturo Carpio
- Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad de Cuenca, Cuenca, Ecuador
- G.H. Sergievsky Center, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Agnès Fleury
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma, Ciudad de México, México
- Secretaría de Salud, Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Matthew L. Romo
- Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics and Institute for Implementation Science in Population Health, CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, City University of New York, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ronaldo Abraham
- Departamento de Medicina, Universidade de Taubaté, São Paulo, Brazil
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Zammarchi L, Bonati M, Strohmeyer M, Albonico M, Requena-Méndez A, Bisoffi Z, Nicoletti A, García HH, Bartoloni A. Screening, diagnosis and management of human cysticercosis andTaenia soliumtaeniasis: technical recommendations by the COHEMI project study group. Trop Med Int Health 2017; 22:881-894. [DOI: 10.1111/tmi.12887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Zammarchi
- Unità di Malattie Infettive; Università Degli Studi di Firenze; Florence Italy
- SOD Malattie Infettive e Tropicali; Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi; Florence Italy
| | - Maurizio Bonati
- Department of Public Health, IRCCS; Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri; Milan Italy
| | - Marianne Strohmeyer
- Unità di Malattie Infettive; Università Degli Studi di Firenze; Florence Italy
| | - Marco Albonico
- Centro per le Malattie Tropicali; Ospedale Classificato Equiparato “Sacro Cuore Don Calabria”; Verona Italy
| | - Ana Requena-Méndez
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health; Universitat de Barcelona; Barcelona Spain
| | - Zeno Bisoffi
- Centro per le Malattie Tropicali; Ospedale Classificato Equiparato “Sacro Cuore Don Calabria”; Verona Italy
| | | | - Hector H. García
- Cysticercosis Unit; Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia; Lima Peru
| | - Alessandro Bartoloni
- Unità di Malattie Infettive; Università Degli Studi di Firenze; Florence Italy
- SOD Malattie Infettive e Tropicali; Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi; Florence Italy
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Blaizot R, Melot B, Schepers K, Nicolas M, Gaumond S, Poullain P, Belaye L, Lannuzel A, Hoen B. Report of three imported cases of neurocysticercosis in Guadeloupe. BMC Infect Dis 2017; 17:106. [PMID: 28143423 PMCID: PMC5282648 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-016-2169-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2016] [Accepted: 12/24/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neurocysticercosis is endemic in most countries of Central and South America but has rarely been described in the French West Indies. We aimed to better understand the clinical and radiological presentation of our cases. CASE PRESENTATION We report three cases of neurocysticercosis in patients living in Guadeloupe, with different clinical and radiological presentations. CONCLUSION Given the eventuality of autochtonous transmission, the diagnosis should be considered in all patients living in Guadeloupe presenting with seizures.
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Affiliation(s)
- R. Blaizot
- Service de Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales et Inserm-CIC 1424, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Pointe-à-Pitre, Pointe-à-Pitre, France
| | - B. Melot
- Service de Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales et Inserm-CIC 1424, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Pointe-à-Pitre, Pointe-à-Pitre, France
| | - K. Schepers
- Service de Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales et Inserm-CIC 1424, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Pointe-à-Pitre, Pointe-à-Pitre, France
| | - M. Nicolas
- Laboratoire de Microbiologie clinique et environnementale, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Pointe-à-Pitre, Pointe-à-Pitre, France
| | - S. Gaumond
- Service d’anatomo-pathologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Pointe-à-Pitre, Pointe-à-Pitre, France
| | - P. Poullain
- Service de Radiologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Pointe-à-Pitre, Pointe-à-Pitre, France
| | - L. Belaye
- Service de Radiologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Pointe-à-Pitre, Pointe-à-Pitre, France
| | - A. Lannuzel
- Service de Neurologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Pointe-à-Pitre, Pointe-à-Pitre, France
- Faculté de Médecine Antilles Guyane, Université des Antilles, EA 4537 Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe France
- Sorbonne University, UPMC Univ Paris 06, Inserm, CNRS, UM 75, U1127, ICM, Paris, F-75013 France
| | - B. Hoen
- Service de Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales et Inserm-CIC 1424, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Pointe-à-Pitre, Pointe-à-Pitre, France
- Faculté de Médecine Antilles Guyane, Université des Antilles, EA 4537 Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe France
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8
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Gonzales I, Rivera JT, Garcia HH. Pathogenesis of Taenia solium taeniasis and cysticercosis. Parasite Immunol 2016; 38:136-46. [PMID: 26824681 DOI: 10.1111/pim.12307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2015] [Accepted: 01/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Taenia solium infections (taeniasis/cysticercosis) are a major scourge to most developing countries. Neurocysticercosis, the infection of the human nervous system by the cystic larvae of this parasite, has a protean array of clinical manifestations varying from entirely asymptomatic infections to aggressive, lethal courses. The diversity of clinical manifestations reflects a series of contributing factors which include the number, size and location of the invading parasites, and particularly the inflammatory response of the host. This manuscript reviews the different presentations of T. solium infections in the human host with a focus on the mechanisms or processes responsible for their clinical expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Gonzales
- Cysticercosis Unit, Department of Transmissible Diseases, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Neurológicas, Lima, Peru
| | - J T Rivera
- Department of Microbiology and Center for Global Health, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
| | - H H Garcia
- Cysticercosis Unit, Department of Transmissible Diseases, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Neurológicas, Lima, Peru.,Department of Microbiology and Center for Global Health, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
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9
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Gordon CA, McManus DP, Jones MK, Gray DJ, Gobert GN. The Increase of Exotic Zoonotic Helminth Infections: The Impact of Urbanization, Climate Change and Globalization. ADVANCES IN PARASITOLOGY 2016; 91:311-97. [PMID: 27015952 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apar.2015.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Zoonotic parasitic diseases are increasingly impacting human populations due to the effects of globalization, urbanization and climate change. Here we review the recent literature on the most important helminth zoonoses, including reports of incidence and prevalence. We discuss those helminth diseases which are increasing in endemic areas and consider their geographical spread into new regions within the framework of globalization, urbanization and climate change to determine the effect these variables are having on disease incidence, transmission and the associated challenges presented for public health initiatives, including control and elimination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine A Gordon
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, Infectious Diseases Division, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Donald P McManus
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, Infectious Diseases Division, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Malcolm K Jones
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, Infectious Diseases Division, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia; School of Veterinary Science, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Darren J Gray
- Research School of Population Health, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Geoffrey N Gobert
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, Infectious Diseases Division, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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Abstract
• On the basis of research evidence, worm infections are important global child health conditions causing chronic disability that lasts from childhood into adulthood (Table 1). (2)(3) Evidence Quality: B • On the basis of research evidence, the major worm infections found in developing countries include ascariasis, trichuriasis, hookworm infection, and schistosomiasis; toxocariasis, enterobiasis, and cysticercosis are also found in poor regions of North America and Europe. (4)(9)(13) Evidence Quality: B • On the basis of expert consensus, children and adolescents are often vulnerable to acquiring large numbers of worms, ie, high-intensity infections (Fig 1)(21)(22)(23) Evidence Quality: D • On the basis of expert consensus and research evidence, moderate and heavy worm burdens cause increased morbidity because of growth and intellectual stunting in children and adolescents. Many of these effects may result from helminth-induced malnutrition. (21)(22)(23) Evidence Quality: C • On the basis of expert consensus and research evidence, worm infections are also commonly associated with eosinophilia. (48) (49) Evidence Quality: B • On the basis of research evidence as well as consensus, helminthes can cause inflammation in the lung (asthma), gastrointestinal tract (enteritis and colitis), liver (hepatitis and fibrosis), and urogenital tract. (7)(21)(22)(23)(27)(28)(40)(41)(43) Evidence Quality: B • On the basis of research evidence, microscopy techniques for diagnosis of worm infections in children often exhibit suboptimal sensitivities and specificities, necessitating new or improved diagnostic modalities such as polymerase chain reaction. (54)(55) Evidence Quality: A • On the basis of research evidence and expert consensus, mass drug administration (“preventive chemotherapy”) has becomea standard practice for ministries of health in low- and middle-income countries to control intestinal helminth infections and schistosomiasis. (67)(68) Evidence Quality: B.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jill E Weatherhead
- Department of Pediatrics (Sections of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine), National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX. Sabin Vaccine Institute and Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Houston, TX
| | - Peter J Hotez
- Department of Pediatrics (Sections of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine), National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX. Sabin Vaccine Institute and Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Houston, TX
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11
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Affiliation(s)
- Jill E. Weatherhead
- Department of Pediatrics (Sections of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine), National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
- Sabin Vaccine Institute and Texas Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Houston, TX
| | - Peter J. Hotez
- Department of Pediatrics (Sections of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine), National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
- Sabin Vaccine Institute and Texas Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Houston, TX
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12
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Wiwanitkit V. Giant cerebral cysticercosis. J Child Neurol 2015; 30:949. [PMID: 24939975 DOI: 10.1177/0883073814538506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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13
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Abstract
Neurocysticercosis is the commonest parasitic disease of the nervous system in humans, and constitutes a major public health problem for most of the developing world. The clinical manifestations of Neurocysticercosis (NCC) largely depend on number of lesions, site, and host immune response against the parasite. Diagnosis is mainly based upon neuro imaging studies and is supported by antibody/antigen detection in the serum and occasionally the cerebrospinal fluid. Randomized controlled trials evaluating the clinical benefit of treatment with cysticidal agents have shown hastened resolution of lesions in most, and reduced seizure recurrence in some studies. Outcome is favourable in single lesion parenchymal NCC but is guarded in multiple lesion and extra parenchymal NCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pratibha Singhi
- Department of Pediatric Neurology and Neurodevelopment, Advanced Pediatrics Centre, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, 160012, India,
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14
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Abstract
The infection of the nervous system by the cystic larvae of Taenia solium (neurocysticercosis) is a frequent cause of seizure disorders. Neurocysticercosis is endemic or presumed to be endemic in many low-income countries. The lifecycle of the worm and the clinical manifestations of neurocysticercosis are well established, and CT and MRI have substantially improved knowledge of the disease course. Improvements in immunodiagnosis have further advanced comprehension of the pathophysiology of this disease. This knowledge has led to individualised treatment approaches that account for the involvement of parenchymal or extraparenchymal spaces, the number and form of parasites, and the extent of degeneration and associated inflammation. Clinical investigations are focused on development of effective treatments and reduction of side-effects induced by treatment, such as seizures, hydrocephalus, infarcts, and neuroinjury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hector H Garcia
- Cysticercosis Unit, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Neurológicas, Lima, Peru; Centre for Global Health-Tumbes and Department of Microbiology, School of Sciences, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru.
| | - Theodore E Nash
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Oscar H Del Brutto
- School of Medicine, Universidad Espíritu Santo-Ecuador, Guayaquil, Ecuador; Department of Neurological Sciences, Hospital-Clínica Kennedy, Guayaquil, Ecuador
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15
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Abstract
Neurocysticercosis is the most common helminthic disease of the nervous system and a leading cause of acquired epilepsy worldwide. Differences in the number and location of lesions as well as in the severity of the immune response against the parasites, makes neurocysticercosis a complex disease. Therefore, a single therapeutic approach is not expected to be useful in every patient. Introduction of cysticidal drugs - praziquantel and albendazole - have changed the prognosis of thousands of patients with neurocysticercosis. While pioneer trials of therapy were flawed by a poor design, recent studies have shown that cysticidal drugs results in disappearance of lesions and clinical improvement in most cases. Nevertheless, some patients with parenchymal neurocysticercosis may be left with remaining cysts and may develop recurrent seizures after therapy, and many patients with subarachnoid cysts may need repeated courses of therapy. In addition, not all forms of the disease benefit from cysticidal drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oscar H Del Brutto
- School of Medicine, Universidad Espiritu Santo - Ecuador, Guayaquil, Ecuador
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16
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de Almeida Leandro L, Fraga CM, de Souza Lino R, Vinaud MC. Partial reverse of the TCA cycle is enhanced in Taenia crassiceps experimental neurocysticercosis after in vivo treatment with anthelminthic drugs. Parasitol Res 2014; 113:1313-7. [PMID: 24481905 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-014-3770-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2013] [Accepted: 01/10/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is the most common helminthic infection and neglected disease of the central nervous system. It is the leading cause of acquired epilepsy and seizures worldwide. Therefore, to study this important neglected disease, it is important to use experimental models. There is no report in the literature on how the parasite's metabolism reacts to antihelminthic treatment when it is still within the central nervous system of the host. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the energetic metabolism of cysticerci experimentally inoculated in the encephala of BALB/c mice after treatment with low dosages (not sufficient to kill the parasite) of albendazole (ABDZ) and praziquantel (PZQ). BALB/c mice were intracranially inoculated with Taenia crassiceps cysticerci and, after 30 days, received treatment with low dosages of ABDZ and PZQ. After 24 h of treatment, the mice were euthanized, and the cysticerci were removed and analyzed through high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to quantify the organic acids related to the energetic metabolism of the parasite. The partial reverse of the TCA cycle was enhanced by the ABDZ and PZQ treatments both with the higher dosage, as the organic acids of this pathway were significantly increased when compared to the control group and to the other dosages. In conclusion, it was possible to detect the increase of this pathway in the parasites that were exposed to low dosages of ABDZ and PZQ, as it is a mechanism that would amplify the energy production in a hostile environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leticia de Almeida Leandro
- Tropical Pathology and Public Health Institute, Federal University of Goiás, Rua 235 s/n, Setor Universitário, Goiás, 74650-050, Brazil
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