Cysticercosis Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Definition
Cysticercosis is a term used to describe infection caused by the eggs of the tapeworm Taenia solium. In cysticercosis, cysts will form in various body tissues, such as the brain, muscles, and other tissues. This situation needs to be differentiated from taeniasis, which is an infection caused by the T. solium worm which is commonly found in the digestive tract.
High numbers of cysticercosis infections can be found in several areas of the world. It is generally found in developing and low-income countries in Latin America, Asia and Africa.
This infection is associated with poor sanitary conditions and areas where pigs roam freely and have access to human feces.
Cysticercosis Symptom
Cysticercosis of the brain or spinal cord generally gives symptoms of neurocysticercosis, namely:
- Maybe asymptomatic
- Seizures or headaches (most common symptom)
- Confusion, balance problems, brain swelling, excess fluid around the brain (less common)
- May cause stroke or death
While cysticercosis in the muscles usually shows symptoms such as:
- Generally asymptomatic
- May cause a lump under the skin, which may be painful to touch
Cysticercosis Reason
Cysticercosis occurs when someone swallows the eggs of the T. solium worm. This worm is a parasite in pigs and humans. T. solium worm eggs are generally found in humans who have been infected with the worm.
The entry of worm eggs can be caused by fecal-oral transmission. For example, as a result of someone contaminated with worm eggs not washing hands properly when preparing food. Or it could also be as a result of infected human feces which then contaminate water sources, or consuming contaminated vegetables and fruits that are not washed properly.
In addition, there may also be an auto transmission. This can happen, for example, to someone with Taeniasis whose worms in their body lay eggs.
Cysticercosis is not caused by consuming undercooked pork (in this condition taeniasis can generally appear). Thus, cysticercosis can also be found in populations that do not consume pork.
Diagnosis
Cysticercosis is often found in the brain, then causes symptoms of neurocysticercosis. Diagnostic criteria are as follows:
- Absolute criteria:
- Presence of parasites on histological examination of brain or spinal cord biopsy samples
- Presence of subretinal parasites that appear directly on funduscopic examination of the eye
- CT- scan or MRI examination showing cysticercosis cyst lesions (scolex)
- Major criteria
- Presence of anti-cysticercus antibodies
- There was an improvement in the lesions in the brain after treatment
- Spontaneous improvement of lesions in the brain of patients with seizure symptoms. Indicated by normal neurologic examination and no evidence of systemic disease
- Through a CT- scan or MRI examination which shows a high probability of cysticercosis cystic lesions
- Minor criteria
- Symptoms consistent with neurocysticercosis
- Through a CT- scan or MRI examination, a lesion appears that corresponds to a cysticercosis cyst
- ELISA examination which shows the presence of anti-cysticercal antibodies or cysticercal antigen
- Cysticercosis occurs outside the central nervous system
- Epidemiological criteria:
- Having contact with a patient with solium infection
- Contact with infected solium
- Lives in a cysticercosis endemic area
A person is said to be absolutely affected by cysticercosis if there is one of:
- 1 absolute criterion
- 2 major criteria + 1 minor criterion and 1 epidemiological criterion
A person is said to be likely to have cysticercosis if there is one of:
- 1 major criterion + 2 minor criteria
- 1 major criterion + 1 minor criterion and 1 epidemiological criterion
- 3 minor criteria + 1 epidemiological criterion
Cysticercosis Treatment
In 80 percent of sufferers, cysticercosis does not cause symptoms. In this case, special treatment may not be needed. In patients who need treatment, doctors generally provide treatment with anti-worm drugs, corticosteroids for patients with swelling, anti-seizure drugs for patients with seizures, and excision therapy for cyst-filled lumps.
Prevention
One way to prevent this problem is to keep yourself and your surroundings clean. Always wash your hands well before eating, serving and preparing food.
Also, wash all raw food ingredients before processing and serving. Use a saline solution or fruit and vegetable cleaner if needed. Then flush the food with running water. Cook all ingredients according to the rules.
Also, take care of the cleanliness of the home and surrounding environment if you keep pets or livestock. Make sure the dirt doesn’t contaminate your daily activities area.