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Cysticercosis - Symptom

Symptoms:

Most often, the worms stay in muscles and do not cause symptoms.

Symptoms that do occur depend on where the infection is found:

  • Brain lesions can result in seizures or symptoms similar to those of a brain tumor.
  • Eye lesions can cause decreased vision or blindness.
  • Heart lesions can lead to abnormal heart rhythms or heart failure (rare).
  • Spine lesions can lead to weakness or changes in walking.

Signs and tests:

Tests that may be done include:

  • Blood tests to detect antibodies to the parasite
  • Biopsy of the affected area
  • CT scan, MRI scan, or x-rays to detect the lesion
  • Spinal tap (lumbar puncture)
  • Reviewed last on: 2/23/2010
  • David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Assistant in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Kraft R. Cysticercosis: an emerging parasitic disease. Am Fam Physician. 2007 Jul 1;76(1):91-6.

King CH. Cestode infections. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 375.

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