[Pediatric neurocysticercosis]

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Infectious Diseases
• Parasitology

Background:

• Cysticercosis is a parasitic infection affecting millions worldwide, endemic in regions like Mexico, Central/South America, Africa, and Asia.
• Caused by the Taenia solium parasite, it is a leading cause of infectious neurological disease globally.
• The parasite lodges in human tissues, including the brain, leading to significant clinical manifestations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To summarize the epidemiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of cysticercosis.
• To highlight its impact as a major neurological infectious disease.
• To discuss diagnostic criteria and therapeutic controversies in specific populations.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on cysticercosis.
• Analysis of epidemiological data from endemic areas.
• Summary of diagnostic methods including clinical symptoms and CT scans.
• Discussion of treatment strategies, including antiparasitic and surgical options.

Main Results:

• Cysticercosis affects approximately 3% of the population in Mexico and over 50 million people globally.
• Diagnosis in endemic zones relies on neurological symptoms (e.g., seizures, vision disorders) and CT scan findings.
• Antiparasitic treatment in children is debated, often reserved for non-calcified cysts or epilepsy cases.

Conclusions:

• Cysticercosis remains a critical public health issue, especially in endemic regions.
• The human-intestinal tapeworm and pig-intermediate host relationship is key to disease prevalence.
• Management requires careful consideration of patient age, cyst stage, and associated symptoms like epilepsy.