Taeniasis and neurocysticercosis among Malaysians
- Author:
Chua, T.H.
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- From:Tropical Biomedicine
2017;34(1):7-13
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Taeniasis, endemic in Southeast Asia, is caused by Taenia saginata (for beef) or
Taenia solium and Taenia asiatica (for pork). T. solium also causes cysticercosis which can
affect various organs. Taeniasis and cysticercosis cases are rarely reported in Malaysia. We
report here two separate cases of beef taeniasis, and an interesting case of neurocysticercosis
in a Malay Muslim. The taeniasis cases involved a Malaysian Chinese and a native Sabahan.
Proglottids were recovered from them, and identification of the tapeworm done either from
the microscopic examination of the egg or using PCR-based molecular diagnosis. Upon
confirmation of taeniasis, both cases were given praziquantel and had been asymptomatic
since. The neurocysticercosis case involving a Muslim who presented with seizure, was
confirmed by histopathological examination of tissue sections taken from craniotomy excision
of the brain lesion. He was given one month course of albendazole 400 mg bid and
dexamethasone, and had been well and seizure free since. The two cases of taeniasis
documented here had acquired the disease through eating raw or undercooked contaminated
beef. For the neurocyticercosis case, it is suspected that he might have acquired the infection
in one of his travels through human to human transmission via contaminated food or water
consumption, given that Malaysia is not T. solium endemic area. Lastly praziquantel is an
effective drug for beef taeniasis, while a combination of albendazole and dexamethasone
work well for neurocysticercosis.
- Full text:P020170529354595748610.pdf
