Neurocysticercosis--retrospective study of autopsy reports, a 17-year experience

Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is a common central nervous system (CNS) infection caused by Taenia solium metacestodes. The objective of this study is to describe the incidence of cysticercosis diagnosed at autopsies and describe the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of NCC. Retrospective study analyzing 6,500 reports of autopsies between 1977 and 1994 from a school hospital in Curitiba, PR, southern of Brazil. The following data was obtained, age, gender, site of cysticercosis, NCC as cause of death. The diagnosis of cysticercosis was established in 52 (0.8%) autopsies. From 1977 to 1987 (0.7%) and from 1988 to 1994 (1.1%). In the autopsies with cysticercosis 75% were male; age (mean ± SD) was 43 ± 20. NCC was present in 96% of cases, and seizures was the most frequent clinical manifestation. Asymptomatic cases in 54%. These data classify our area as hiperendemic, according with OMS criteria. The present study reinforces the necessity to develop adequate control programs.