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Cysticercosis and suicide - an example from a forensic collection
Slobodan Nikolić1, Danica Cvetković1, Vladimir Živković2
1Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Belgrade - School of Medicine, 31a Deligradska str., 11000, Belgrade, Serbia.
Forensic Science, Medicine, and Pathology
|September 15, 2020
Summary
Systemic cysticercosis, a parasitic infection, likely led to suicide in a 1937 case. Neurocysticercosis remains a leading cause of epilepsy globally.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
- Parasitology
Background:
- Cysticercosis, caused by Taenia solium larvae, affects both the central nervous system and soft tissues.
- Neurocysticercosis is a significant public health concern, particularly in developing nations, and a leading cause of epilepsy.
Observation:
- A 1937 case involved a 52-year-old female with systemic cysticercosis, exhibiting neurological and psychiatric symptoms.
- Autopsy revealed widespread cysts in the brain's meninges and skeletal muscles, suggesting a severe parasitic burden.
- The protracted illness and autopsy findings indicated suicide by lye ingestion, a common method at the time.
Findings:
- Muscular cysticercosis without central nervous system involvement is uncommon; infections typically manifest neurologically.
- Psychiatric disturbances, including depression, psychosis, and cognitive decline, are frequently associated with neurocysticercosis.
- Taenia solium's lifecycle is linked to specific agricultural and sanitation practices, highlighting socioeconomic factors in disease transmission.
Implications:
- Understanding the link between cysticercosis, neurological/psychiatric symptoms, and potential behavioral outcomes is crucial.
- Public health strategies focusing on improved sanitation, food safety, and education are vital for controlling and eradicating cysticercosis.
- Neurocysticercosis continues to pose a significant threat, necessitating ongoing research and preventative measures worldwide.