Advances in the diagnosis and management of neurocysticercosis

Authors: Serpa, Jose A; Yancey, Linda S; White Jr, A Clinton

Source: Expert Review of Anti-Infective Therapy, Volume 4, Number 6, December 2006 , pp. 1051-1061(11)

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Abstract:

Neurocysticercosis is the most common cause of late-onset epilepsy in developing countries. The larval stage of Taenia solium is the causative agent of the disease. Recent advances in neuroimaging and serologic diagnostic techniques have led to increased recognition of its importance, but its pathogenesis is just beginning to be clarified. Experts now agree that the clinical manifestations, pathogenic mechanisms and optimal treatment vary with the number of parasites, their location and the degree of host inflammation. Symptomatic therapy (i.e., antiepileptic medications and, when indicated, surgery) is critically important but there are also important roles for antiparasitic and anti-inflammatory drugs. Neurocysticercosis is a potentially eradicable disease but this is probably unlikely to be achieved in the short term.

Keywords: albendazole; cysticercosis; hydrocephalus; neurocysticercosis; seizure; Taenia

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1586/14787210.4.6.1051

Publication date: 2006-12-01

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Expert Review of Anti-infective Therapy provides expert reviews on therapeutics and diagnostics in the treatment of infectious disease. Coverage includes antibiotics, drug resistance, drug therapy, infectious disease medicine, antibacterial, antimicrobial, antifungal and antiviral approaches, and diagnostic tests.
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