Parasitic Infections of the Nervous System
Can parasites invade the brain? Yes, it can. Parasitic infections of the central nervous system in general may produce symptoms in the form of meningoencephalitis or a space -occupying lesion.
1. Trichinosis
– this condition is due to a nematode, called Trichinella spiralis which infects hogs eaten as raw or poorly cooked pork. For a patient with trichonosis, he/she may have fever, myalgia and abdominal pain and may develop papilledema and profound neurologic deficit
2. Cysticercosis
– this condition is due to Taenia solium where the patient will have increased intracranial pressure, focal or generalized seizures and cranial nerve palsied. This condition, though, is not common in the Philippines.
3. Malaria
– this condition is due to Plasmodium falciparum and is transmitted to man by the bite of infected mosquitoes where patients may have fever,delirium and may become unconscious. Patients may also experience convulsions which are common so with hemiplegia, aphasia or focal convulsions
4. Amebic abscess of the brain
– this condition is due to Entameba histolytica. The infection is due to ingestion of contaminated food where a patient may have convulsions and where the course is rapid and usually ends in death within 6 to 8 days
5. Schistosomiasis
– this condition is due to a fluke which lives in the liver of man and other mammals where patient may have cervical rigidity, delirium and stupor, hemiplegia, ataxia, cranial nerve palsies and convulsions
6. Cryptococcosis
– this is the most common fungal infection involving the meninges and brain. Due to Cryptococcus neoformans, an organism isolated from soil in the vicinity of pigeon nests or parrots. Patients with this condition may have headache, nausea and vomiting, personality changes, photophobia and neck stiffness. Psychotic behavior is frequently encountered, too.