Abstract
Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is the most common cause of acquired epilepsy in resource-poor countries. We report the case of a 24-year-old woman born and residing in Guinea-Bissau, who was transferred to Portugal two months after the onset of a possible meningitis (fever, headache, seizures, and coma) that did not respond to antibiotic treatment. The diagnosis of NCC was confirmed by MR imaging, which showed multiple lesions compatible with cysticercus, and by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of the cerebrospinal fluid. After 28 days on albendazole and dexamethasone without improvement, she was started on praziquantel, which she completed in six weeks with progressive recovery.
Highlights
Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is a chronic inflammatory infection of the central nervous system (CNS) caused by the larval form of the tapeworm Taenia solium
It is becoming more clear that greater priority should be given to this disease, which is classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as one of the 17 neglected tropical diseases [1]
Healthy life expectancy at birth is 42 years, and there are fewer than five physicians per 100,000 persons in the country [10]
Summary
Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is a chronic inflammatory infection of the central nervous system (CNS) caused by the larval form of the tapeworm Taenia solium. The importance of NCC was not truly recognized in the past, as most cases occur in resource-poor countries. Recognition of NCC as a serious public health problem in sub-Saharan African countries is increasing [6].
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