A case of imported neurocysticercosis in Portugal

J Infect Dev Ctries. 2015 Jan 15;9(1):114-7. doi: 10.3855/jidc.5032.

Abstract

Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is the most common cause of acquired epilepsy in resource-poor countries. We report the case of a 24-year-old woman born and residing in Guinea-Bissau, who was transferred to Portugal two months after the onset of a possible meningitis (fever, headache, seizures, and coma) that did not respond to antibiotic treatment. The diagnosis of NCC was confirmed by MR imaging, which showed multiple lesions compatible with cysticercus, and by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of the cerebrospinal fluid. After 28 days on albendazole and dexamethasone without improvement, she was started on praziquantel, which she completed in six weeks with progressive recovery.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Anthelmintics / therapeutic use
  • Cerebrospinal Fluid / parasitology
  • Female
  • Guinea-Bissau
  • Head / diagnostic imaging
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Neurocysticercosis / diagnosis*
  • Neurocysticercosis / drug therapy
  • Neurocysticercosis / pathology*
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Portugal
  • Praziquantel / therapeutic use
  • Radiography
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Anthelmintics
  • Praziquantel