Microbiology 25 - Global Health Priorities and Brain Worms

Question 1

What would be shown on MRI in taenia solum brain infestation?

Answer 1

A few scattered calcifications higher up in the brain

Cystic lesion in brain

These two features together are typical of brain infestation

Question 2

What is the most common cause of adult-onset epilepsy in the world?

Answer 2

Taenia solum cysticosis

Neurocysticerosis

Question 3

Recall the 2 different syndromes that can be caused by taenia solum infection

Answer 3

Taeniasis (GUT tapeworm)

Cysticerosis (CNS infection with larvae)

Question 4

How is taeniasis transmitted?

Answer 4

Pork tapeworm infection - as pigs are coprophagic

Question 5

What is the pathophysiology of cysticerosis?

Answer 5

The infection itself doesn’t cause pathology, it’s the immune response to the dying taenia

Question 6

How should cysticerosis be treated?

Answer 6

Cestocidal drugs alongside a course of high dose steroids (v important)

This is because if you don’t give steroids, there will be pronounced inflammation in the brain as the cestocidial drugs take effect on the cysts/worms

Albendazole, praziquantel and steroids

Question 7

Can a vegan who does not eat pork get cysticercosis/brain worms if they are in endemic areas

Answer 7

Yes. Even if they do not eat porn they can still get it