It is a totally unusual discovery that the doctors of the Boston hospital in the United States make. They diagnosed a man with neurocysticercosis, that is, an infection of the central nervous system caused by the larvae of a tapeworm.
The strange discovery was made “thanks” to the violent crisis of the 38-year-old man, who had to be transferred to the hospital. It was after a brain scan that doctors discovered three brain lesions, as well as larval cysts from a tapeworm that migrated to its head 20 years ago.
The mystery remains as to how humans were able to harbor pieces of the parasite for so long. The doctors nevertheless gave him some answers: the patient would likely have eaten a meal prepared by someone who had a tapeworm, a parasite-related disease found primarily in the region of Guatemala where humans had lived.
A tapeworm at the origin of seizures
In his report, Edward T. Ryan, director of global infectious diseases at Massachusetts General Hospital explained that the tapeworm in his brain was long dead, but still triggered seizures. “The infection was long gone, but part of his brain was scarred, and it is this scarred area that led to seizures“, detailed the specialist
Tapeworms infect the central nervous system after passing through muscles and tissues. After their death in 5 to 10 years, dead parasites can cause inflammation throughout the body, causing symptoms such as headache, pain or seizures. Eating undercooked pork and being in unsanitary conditions are two of the most common ways to catch a tapeworm.
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