Cysticercosis

Cysticercosis is the infection caused by Cysticercus cellulosae, the larval stage of the cestode Taenia solium, the pork tapeworm. The clinically significant helminthic invasion to central nervous system (CNS) structures and the resulting spectrum of neurologic illness define neurocysticercosis (NCC). With the more extensive use of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MRI) neuroimaging and the availability of accurate serologic testing, NCC has been increasingly diagnosed not only in less developed countries where pigs are raised, but also in industrialized countries with large immigrant populations originating from endemic areas. NCC is presently recognized as the most common parasitic infection of the CNS.