Cysticercosis in Los Angeles County

Four hundred ninety-seven patients were identified as having been treated for cysticercosis at four hospitals in Los Angeles during the 11-year period 1973 through 1983. Eleven deaths were recorded. Over 90% of these patients were Hispanics in productive age groups; the majority were Mexican by nationality. Hospitalizations were generally short, and readmissions for recurrence of symptoms or complications of therapy occurred in only 14% of patients. Cysticercosis was diagnosed in 12 US citizens who had no history of travel to countries considered traditionally endemic for Taenia solium taeniasis/cysticercosis. A dramatic rise in numbers of cases was observed after 1977, appearing to plateau at approximately 80 cases per year in 1981. The increase in cases beginning in 1977 coincided with the introduction of the computed tomographic scan.