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Parasitic Brain Infections

By

John E. Greenlee

, MD, University of Utah Health

Reviewed/Revised Mar 2022 | Modified Sep 2022
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In some parts of the world, brain infections may be due to worms or other parasites. These infections are more common in developing countries and rural areas. They are less common in the United States.

Neurocysticercosis

Neurocysticercosis is caused by pork tapeworm Tapeworm Infection Tapeworm infection of the intestine occurs mainly when people eat raw or undercooked contaminated pork, beef, or freshwater fish or, for the dwarf tapeworm, contaminated food or water. Adult... read more Tapeworm Infection larvae. Of all the worms that cause brain infections, the pork tapeworm causes by far the most cases of brain infections in the Western Hemisphere.

After people eat food contaminated with the tapeworm's eggs, secretions in the stomach cause the eggs to hatch into larvae. The larvae enter the bloodstream and are distributed to all parts of the body, including the brain and spinal cord. The larvae form cysts (clusters of larvae enclosed in a protective wall). (The infection caused by cysts is called cysticercosis or, when the cysts form in the brain, neurocysticercosis.) These cysts cause few symptoms until the cysts degenerate and the larvae die, triggering inflammation, swelling, and symptoms such as headaches, seizures, personality changes, and mental impairment.

Sometimes the cysts block the flow of cerebrospinal fluid within the spaces of the brain (ventricles) putting pressure on the brain. This disorder is called hydrocephalus. The increased pressure can cause headaches, nausea, vomiting, and sleepiness.

Without treatment, people with neurocysticercosis may die.

Doctors suspect neurocysticercosis in people who live in or have come from developing countries and who have typical symptoms. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) can often show the cysts. But blood tests and a spinal tap Spinal Tap Diagnostic procedures may be needed to confirm a diagnosis suggested by the medical history and neurologic examination. Imaging tests commonly used to diagnose nervous system (neurologic) disorders... read more Spinal Tap (lumbar puncture) to obtain a sample of cerebrospinal fluid are often needed to confirm the diagnosis. Occasionally, a biopsy of the cyst is needed.

The infection is treated with albendazole or praziquantel (drugs used to treat parasitic worm infections, called antihelminthic drugs). However, if a person has many cysts, antihelminthic drugs may kill many organisms, causing the brain to swell significantly. Also, if a person has only one cyst, these drugs may not help, Doctors carefully tailor treatment for each person. Corticosteroids are given to reduce the inflammation that occurs as the larvae die.

Seizures are treated with antiseizure drugs.

Occasionally, surgery is necessary to place a drain (shunt) to remove the excess cerebrospinal fluid and relieve the hydrocephalus. The shunt is a piece of plastic tubing placed in the spaces within the brain. The tubing is run under the skin, usually to the abdomen, where excess fluid can drain. Surgery to remove cysts from the brain may also be needed.

Other infections

Echinococcosis Echinococcosis (Dog Tapeworm Infection) Echinococcosis is caused by the dog tapeworms Echinococcus granulosus and Echinococcus multilocularis. In people, the tapeworms can cause fluid-filled cysts or masses to form in... read more Echinococcosis (Dog Tapeworm Infection) (hydatid disease) and coenurosis are infections with other types of tapeworm larvae. Echinococcosis can produce large cysts in the brain. Coenurosis, like cysticercosis, produces cysts that can block the flow of fluid around the brain.

Echinococcosis, coenurosis, and schistosomiasis can cause symptoms similar to those of cysticercosis, including seizures, headaches, personality changes, and mental impairment. Symptoms caused by echinococcosis or coenurosis may take years to develop.

Doctors can usually diagnose these infections based on results from MRI or CT, but sometimes a spinal tap is needed. The spinal fluid may have a large number of white blood cells called eosinophils.

These three infections are usually treated with antihelminthic drugs, such as albendazole, mebendazole, praziquantel, and pyrantel pamoate. But in echinococcosis and coenurosis, cysts must often be removed surgically.

Drugs Mentioned In This Article

Generic Name Select Brand Names
Albenza
Biltricide
Emverm, Vermox
Pin-X, Pronto Plus Pinworm, Reese's
NOTE: This is the Consumer Version. DOCTORS: VIEW PROFESSIONAL VERSION
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