Cysticercosis Related Epilepsy: An Infectious Epilepsy

Editorial

Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder that can be seen worldwide. There are many etiologies of epilepsy and infection is an important cause. The infectious epilepsy is of interest. Cysticercosis related epilepsy is an important neurological problem. Indeed, cysticercosis is an important cestode parasitic infestation that can be seen worldwide. It is considered as an important problem in tropical medicine. Of interest, many epileptic patients in tropical world have the neuro cysticercosis as underlying etiology but it is usually under diagnosed. Amudhan et al. noted that neuro cysticercosis was important cause of epilepsy that should not be forgotten [1]. The problem can be introduced into any new setting due to migration of pigs. In history, Del Brutto and García noted that “the epidemic of cysticercosis-related epilepsy in the Ekari people of Papua New Guinea occurring after the gift of pigs with cysticercosis received from Indonesia (demonstrating the fast establishment of endemic transmission and the impact of cysticercosis in epilepsy frequency) [2] ”. As an infectious disease, the treatment by antiparasitic drug is possible. How to promote the prevention for neuro cysticercsosis by improved food and eating sanitation, control of migration of pigs as well as early diagnosis of the neuro cysticercosis induced epilepsy are important for all practitioners towards this controllable and treatable neurological disorder [3]. Early use of antiparasitic drug in any diagnosed cases is warranted [4]. Nevertheless, there is no indication for use of prophylactic antiepileptic drugs [5]. Sharma et al. noted that “despite neuro cysticercosis being the most common cause of epilepsy worldwide, there is currently no evidence available regarding the use of antiepileptic drugs as prophylaxis for preventing seizures among people presenting with symptoms other than seizures [5]”.

References

1. Amudhan S, Gururaj G, Satishchandra P. Epilepsy in India I: Epidemiology and public health. Ann Indian Acad Neurol. 2015; 18: 263-277.
2. Del Brutto OH, García HH. Taenia solium Cysticercosis - The lessons of history. J Neurol Sci. 2015.
3. Carpio A, Romo ML. The relationship between neurocysticercosis and epilepsy: an endless debate. Arq Neuropsiquiatr. 2014; 72: 383-390.
4. Garcia HH, Nash TE, Del Brutto OH. Clinical symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of neurocysticercosis. Lancet Neurol. 2014; 13: 1202-1215.
5. Sharma M, Singh T, Mathew A. Antiepileptic drugs for seizure control in people with neurocysticercosis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015; 10.