Cerebral sparganosis caused by spirometra sp.: A case report
1Department of Neurology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease
|February 15, 2026
Summary
Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) successfully diagnosed rare cerebral sparganosis in a patient with non-specific symptoms. This advanced diagnostic tool aids in identifying challenging parasitic infections like Spirometra sp.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
- Parasitology
Background:
- Cerebral sparganosis, a rare parasitic infection by Spirometra larvae, presents with nonspecific symptoms, complicating diagnosis.
- The condition can lead to progressive neurological deficits, including cognitive decline and visual disturbances.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Fungal Phylum Microsporidia
577
Microsporidia are a group of obligate intracellular fungi that were initially classified as protists but were later reclassified based on phylogenetic, molecular, and structural evidence linking them to the Chytridiomycota. These unicellular, non-motile organisms are highly specialized parasites that infect a wide range of animal hosts, including humans. They have evolved extensive genomic and metabolic reductions, making them highly dependent on their hosts for survival.Morphology and Genomic...
577
01:30Bacterial Phylum Spirochaetes
894
Spirochetes, unique bacteria in the phylum Spirochaetes, are gram-negative, motile, tightly coiled, slender, and flexible. They inhabit aquatic sediments and animals, with some causing diseases like syphilis. Spirochetes are classified into eight genera based on habitat, pathogenicity, phylogeny, and characteristics.Their distinctive motility arises from endoflagella, located within the cell’s periplasm. These endoflagella anchor at the cell poles and extend along the cell length, encased...
894
00:58Symbiosis
37.7K
Symbiotic relationships are long-term, close interactions between individuals of different species that affect the distribution and abundance of those species. When a relationship is beneficial to both species, this is called mutualism. When the relationship is beneficial to one species but neither beneficial nor harmful to the other species, this is called commensalism. When one organism is harmed to benefit another, the relationship is known as parasitism. These types of relationships often...
37.7K