Parasitic tapeworm larvae have been found in a man’s brain following weeks of worsening migraines, which researchers believe were caused by his consumption of undercooked bacon.
Following a CT scan on the man, Florida researchers found numerous fluid-filled sacs, or cystic foci, in his brain.
“It can only be speculated, but given our patient’s predilection for undercooked pork and benign exposure history, we favor that his cysticercosis was transmitted via autoinfection after improper handwashing after he had contracted taeniasis himself from his eating habits,” researchers said.
Antiparasitic drugs such as praziquantel or albendazole have sufficient activity against Taenia solium, but there is concern that most of the inflammation occurs when the cysts are killed, giving some clinicians pause when considering treatment.
Although the disease occurs globally, its highest rates of infection are found in areas of Latin America, Asia and Africa that have poor sanitation and free-ranging pigs with access to human feces, the CDC reports.
It adds that there are an estimated 1,000 new hospitalizations for neurocysticercosis in the US each year, with cases more frequently reported in New York, California, Texas, Oregon and Illinois.
The original article contains 545 words, the summary contains 186 words. Saved 66%. I’m a bot and I’m open source!
This is the best summary I could come up with:
Parasitic tapeworm larvae have been found in a man’s brain following weeks of worsening migraines, which researchers believe were caused by his consumption of undercooked bacon.
Following a CT scan on the man, Florida researchers found numerous fluid-filled sacs, or cystic foci, in his brain.
“It can only be speculated, but given our patient’s predilection for undercooked pork and benign exposure history, we favor that his cysticercosis was transmitted via autoinfection after improper handwashing after he had contracted taeniasis himself from his eating habits,” researchers said.
Antiparasitic drugs such as praziquantel or albendazole have sufficient activity against Taenia solium, but there is concern that most of the inflammation occurs when the cysts are killed, giving some clinicians pause when considering treatment.
Although the disease occurs globally, its highest rates of infection are found in areas of Latin America, Asia and Africa that have poor sanitation and free-ranging pigs with access to human feces, the CDC reports.
It adds that there are an estimated 1,000 new hospitalizations for neurocysticercosis in the US each year, with cases more frequently reported in New York, California, Texas, Oregon and Illinois.
The original article contains 545 words, the summary contains 186 words. Saved 66%. I’m a bot and I’m open source!