Cysticercosis is an infection caused by the larvae of the parasite Taenia solium. This infection occurs after a person swallows tapeworm eggs. The larvae get into tissues such as muscle and brain, and form cysts there (these are called cysticerci).
Can intestinal worms cause brain damage?
Of all the worms that cause brain infections, the pork tapeworm causes by far the most cases of brain infections in the Western Hemisphere. After people eat food contaminated with the tapeworm's eggs, secretions in the stomach cause the eggs to hatch into larvae.
Can worms affect your brain?
If the larval worm enters the nervous system, including the brain, it can result in a condition known as neurocysticercosis. Infection of this kind can often cause epilepsy once inside the brain.
What are the symptoms of worms in brain?
The brain and nervous system are affected. The patient may have headaches, vision problems, seizures, meningitis, and confusion. In very severe cases the infection can be fatal.
Can worms cause neurological symptoms?
Parasitic infections of the CNS are often 'silent', with the classical neurological symptoms (e.g. headache, seizures, coma) appearing long after the initial invasion of the brain and, importantly, when considerable, sometimes irreversible, damage has occurred.
What happens when worms enter the nervous system?
If they enter the nervous system the worms can form cysts in the brain, which have severe consequences, including epilepsy. In the radiology image above, the cysts are identified as white lumps within the brain. The young larvael forms of Taenia solium can migrate to the brain where they burrow to form cysts.
What are the worms that invade your brain?
Photos: The worms that invade your brain. The most common form of brain tapeworm is the pork tapeworm -- Taenia solium. Taeniasis, the intestinal infection transmitted by the adult worm, is a mild condition, caused by eating undercooked pork ...
What are the symptoms of intestinal worms?
Common symptoms of intestinal worms are: abdominal pain; diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting; gas/bloating; fatigue; unexplained weight loss; abdominal pain or tenderness
What are the side effects of Worms in humans?
Complications. Intestinal worms increase your risk for anemia and intestinal blockages. Complications occur more frequently in older adults and in people who have suppressed immune systems, such as people with HIV or AIDS infection. Intestinal worm infections can pose a higher risk if you’re pregnant.
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