ABSTRACT
Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is infestation of the human brain by the larva of worm, Taenia
solium and is the most prevalent central nervous system (CNS) helminthiasis. The disease
is widespread in tropical and subtropical regions of the world, including the Indian
subcontinent, China, Sub-Saharan Africa, Central and South America and contributes
substantially to the burden of epilepsy in these areas(1) . CNS involvement is seen
in 60-90% of systemic cysticercosis. About 2.5 million people worldwide are infected
with T. solium, and antibodies to T. solium are seen in up to 25% of people in endemic
areas(1-3) . A higher prevalence of epilepsy and seizures in endemic countries is
partly because of a high prevalence of cysticercosis in these regions. Seizures are
thought to be caused by NCC in as many as 30% of adult patients and in 51% of children
in population based endemic regions (2) . About 12% of admissions to neurological
services in endemic regions are attributed to NCC and nearly half a million deaths
occurring annually worldwide can be attributed directly or indirectly to NCC (Bern
et al.). Punctate calcific foci on CT scan are a very common finding in asymptomatic
people residing in endemic areas, found in 14-20 % of CT scans. Both seizures and
positive cysticercus serology are associated with the detection of cysticerci on CT
scans. Seroprevalence using a recently developed CDC- based enzyme-linked immunotransfer
blot (EITB) assay is estimated at 8-12% in Latin America and 4.9-24% in Africa and
South-East Asia. It is estimated that 20 million people harbour neurocysticercosis
worldwide(1) .
Keywords
Neurocysticercosis(NCC) - SCG - T. Solium - cysticerci