BACKGROUND: Cysticercosis, a human infestation by Taenia solium is endemic in many resource-limited countries. In developed countries it is mostly encountered among immigrant populations. Only few cases are reported in travelers. This report summarizes a nation-wide study of neurocysticercosis (NCC) diagnosed among Israeli travelers to endemic countries, with an estimation of disease incidence among the traveler population. METHODS: We performed a retrospective, nation-wide survey of travel-related NCC in Israel between the years 1994 and 2009. RESULTS: Nine cases of NCC were diagnosed in Israeli travelers during the study years. Most patients had traveled to South and/or Southeast Asia. The most common symptom at diagnosis was a seizure. The average interval between return from the suspected travel and symptom onset was 3.2 ± 1.8 years. Two patients suffered from multiple lesions, whereas the rest had a single lesion. Antihelminthic treatment was given to most patients with resolution of symptoms. Median duration of antiepileptic treatment was 16 ± 41 months after albendazole was given. Antiepileptic treatment was discontinued without any complications. The estimated attack rate of clinical disease was 1 : 275,000 per travel episode to an endemic region. CONCLUSIONS: NCC in travelers is a rare phenomenon commonly presenting as seizure disorder manifesting months to years post-travel. Antihelminthic therapy followed by 12 to 24 months of antiepileptic therapy resulted in complete resolution of symptoms in our patients.
BACKGROUND:Cysticercosis, a human infestation by Taenia solium is endemic in many resource-limited countries. In developed countries it is mostly encountered among immigrant populations. Only few cases are reported in travelers. This report summarizes a nation-wide study of neurocysticercosis (NCC) diagnosed among Israeli travelers to endemic countries, with an estimation of disease incidence among the traveler population. METHODS: We performed a retrospective, nation-wide survey of travel-related NCC in Israel between the years 1994 and 2009. RESULTS: Nine cases of NCC were diagnosed in Israeli travelers during the study years. Most patients had traveled to South and/or Southeast Asia. The most common symptom at diagnosis was a seizure. The average interval between return from the suspected travel and symptom onset was 3.2 ± 1.8 years. Two patients suffered from multiple lesions, whereas the rest had a single lesion. Antihelminthic treatment was given to most patients with resolution of symptoms. Median duration of antiepileptic treatment was 16 ± 41 months after albendazole was given. Antiepileptic treatment was discontinued without any complications. The estimated attack rate of clinical disease was 1 : 275,000 per travel episode to an endemic region. CONCLUSIONS: NCC in travelers is a rare phenomenon commonly presenting as seizure disorder manifesting months to years post-travel. Antihelminthic therapy followed by 12 to 24 months of antiepileptic therapy resulted in complete resolution of symptoms in our patients.
Authors: Isidro Gonzales; J Jaime Miranda; Silvia Rodriguez; Victor Vargas; Alfredo Cjuno; Liam Smeeth; Armando E Gonzalez; Victor C W Tsang; Robert H Gilman; Hector H Garcia Journal: Trop Med Int Health Date: 2015-02-03 Impact factor: 2.622
Authors: Toni Wandra; Kadek Swastika; Nyoman S Dharmawan; Ivan Elisabeth Purba; I Made Sudarmaja; Takahiko Yoshida; Yasuhito Sako; Munehiro Okamoto; Ni Luh Putu Eka Diarthini; Dewa Ayu Agus Sri Laksemi; Tetsuya Yanagida; Minoru Nakao; Akira Ito Journal: Parasit Vectors Date: 2015-03-07 Impact factor: 3.876