1. Neurocysticercosis Jenna Sawafta Infectious Diseases in the Developing World Fall 2012

2. Neuro-Brain Cysticercosis is an infection due to ingestion of Taenia Solium http://drugline.org/medic/term/taenia/

3. The most common parasitic disease of the nervous system http://www.cedars-sinai.edu/Patients/Programs-and-Services/Epilepsy-Program/Diagnosing-Epilepsy/ It is also the main cause of epilepsy in developing countries

4. 60-80% of people with the disease become epileptic http://jessicaksmith.blogspot.com/2010/07/45000-sudden-unexplained-deaths-in.html

5. What does a brain with neurocysticercosis look like? Normal Brain Neurocysticerosis http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1168656-overview

6. A closer look… http://medicalschool.tumblr.com/post/12376854128/neurocysticercosis-is-an-infection-in-the-brain-of Brain Lesions

7. How is the disease transmitted?

8. NCC is spread by the fecal oral route http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/Blastocystis

9. Transmission occurs when pathogens of one host are introduced to the oral cavity of another http://www.path.cam.ac.uk/~schisto/general_parasitology/parasitology_cestodes_examples.html Egg Intermediate Host Definitive Host

10. http://www.learningradiology.com/archives2010/COW%20397-Cysticercosis/ncccorrect.htm Larval form of parasite found in intermediate host (Pig) Infection of definitive host via:  Uncooked meat  Contaminated meat Adult form of the parasite manifests in human Tapeworms lay new eggs in muscle tissue Development of the tapeworm in the brain

11. Most commonly transmitted through food contamination http://img4-2.realsimple.timeinc.net/images/ingredients/ham_300.jpg http://www.whatacrappyjob.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/logo-biohazard-252x300.gif

12. Who does this affect?

13. 2.5 million people world-wide are living with Taenia Solium http://radiographics.rsna.org/content/30/6/1705/F2.expansion.html

14. The most heavily affected countries are in Latin America http://radiographics.rsna.org/content/30/6/1705/F2.expansion.html

15. Non-endemic countries’ cases are rising because of travel to endemic regions and immigration. http://oldweb.madison.k12.wi.us/tnl/detectives/People_and_Places/Regions/South_America/ http://www.worldtravelforumonline.com/forumindex/images/southamerica1.jpg

16. How do we treat it?

17. The main antiparasitic drugs http://www.chemicalland21.com/lifescience/phar/ALBENDAZOLE.htm https://www.healthtap.com/#topics/get-rid-of-threadworms Praziquantal Albendazole

18. Clinical trials shows that Albendazole kills 60-85% of brain cysterci in 4 weeks http://www.biomedsearch.com/nih/Albendazole-versus-Praziquantel-in-Treatment/18335068.html

19. What are we doing about it?

20. http://www.pigprogress.net/Home/General/2010/12/Balanced-trace-element-feed-improves-sow-performance-PP006960W/  Improving sanitation  Modernizing swine husbandry  Developing detection technology for tapeworms

21. Works Consulted DeGiorgio, Christopher. "Neurocysticercosis." National Center for Biotechnology. US Library of Medicine, 4 2004. Web. 5 Nov 2012.. "Examples of Common Cestodes." SRG General Pathology. University of Cambridge, n.d. Web. 06 Nov 2012.. "Neurocysticercosis: Radiologic-Pathologic Correlation." RadioGraphics. Radiological Society of North America, n.d. Web. 10 Nov 2012.. Zafaar, Mohammed. "Neurocysticercosis." MedScape. WebMed LLC, 07 2011. Web. 10 Nov 2012. <http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1168656-overview Zimmer, Carl. "Hidden Epidemic: Tapeworms Living Inside Peoples Brains." Discover Magazine. Kalmbach Publishing, 15 2012. Web. 08 Nov 2012..

22. Thank you!