Neurological syndromes or diseases caused by parasites in tropical areas

Parasitic diseases of the central nervous system (CNS) are very uncommon in developed countries except in immunocompromised patients. Conversely, parasites are common and neglected causes of CNS disorders in the tropics, and the associated burden is considerable, especially in the poorest areas of America, Africa, and Asia. In this chapter, clinical and epidemiological data about the most common parasite infections involving the CNS in tropical areas, including neurocysticercosis, trypanosomiasis, cerebral malaria, schistosomiasis, toxoplasmosis, gnathostomiasis, and angiostrongylosis were are. The nodding syndrome and neurologic infections caused by free-living amebae are also included in this review because these diseases are considered to be emerging.