Parasitic Infections of the Central Nervous System Flashcards

Flashcards about Parasitic Infections of the Central Nervous System

What are some parasitic infections that can infect the CNS?

Cysticercosis, Toxoplasmosis, Echinococcosis, Schistosomiasis, Malaria, Toxocariasis, African trypanosomiasis

What are some common manifestations of CNS parasites?

Seizures and epilepsy, diffuse encephalitis, intracerebral location of the parasite, eosinophilic meningoencephalitis

What is Neurocysticercosis (NCC) caused by?

The larval stage of the tapeworm Taenia solium

How do humans typically ingest the parasite T. solium?

By eating raw or undercooked pork

What condition results from the egg of T. solium infecting a human host?

Cysticercosis

What are some symptoms of Neurocysticercosis (NCC)?

Seizures, headache, focal deficits, cognitive abnormalities

What percentage of patients with brain parenchymal cysts experience seizures?

50 to 80 percent

How is Neurocysticercosis diagnosed?

ELISA on fecal extracts, immunoblot assay, neuroimaging by CT or MRI

What is the drug of choice for adult T. solium?

Praziquantel

What is the drug of choice for neurocysticercosis?

Albendazole

How is Toxoplasmosis usually acquired?

Through the ingestion of infected, raw or undercooked meats or contaminated water

Which animal serves as the definitive host for Toxoplasma gondii?

The domestic cat and other feline species

How does congenital transmission of Toxoplasmosis occur?

During infection of the mother, when tachyzoites cross the placenta

In which tissues do Toxoplasma gondii cysts most commonly develop?

Brain, retina, skeletal and cardiac muscle

What are some typical symptoms in the early stages of Toxoplasmosis?

Fever, rash, lymphadenopathy, and eye disturbances

What percentage of HIV infected patients with toxoplasmosis develop encephalitis?

20%

What are the symptoms of acute acquired Toxoplasmosis in the immunocompetent patient?

Mild self-limiting disease or asymptomatic

How is Toxoplasmosis diagnosed?

Serological diagnosis or direct identification of the parasite

How is a mild Toxoplasma infection treated?

Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, atovaquone, or azithromycin

How can most Toxoplasma infections be prevented?

By eating only well-cooked meats and practicing care when handling cat feces

How does CNS Schistosomiasis occur?

By deposition of eggs in the spinal cord and the brain

Which Schistosoma species are more likely to affect the spinal cord?

S. mansoni and S. haematobium

Which Schistosoma species is more likely to affect the brain?

S. japonicum

What is spread by the bite of the female Anopheles mosquito?

Malaria

Name the plasmodium species

Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium ovale

What is the infective stage of Malaria?

Sporozoites

What are some common symptoms of Malaria?

Headache, Fatigue, Nausea, Vomiting, Chills, Fever, Muscle Aches

What is Cerebral Malaria caused by?

Blockage of cerebral capillaries with infected erythrocytes

What are some symptoms of severe Cerebral Malaria?

Coma, seizures, neck rigidity

What drugs are used for the treatment of Cerebral Malaria?

Artemisinin and Quinine

What characterizes cerebral malaria?

Coma that persists for more than 30 minutes

What is the genetic marker for drug resistance for P. falciparum?

pfkelch13

What antimalarial drug class targets all stages of the parasite?

Sesquiterpene lactone endoperoxidases (Artemisinin)

What are the symptoms presented by the patient in the case study?

Fevers, malaise, body aches, abdominal pain, and headaches

Why would fevers that occur every 24 to 48 hours be associated with malaria?

Consistent with malarial fevers

What is a common clinical symptom of malaria?

Muscle aches

What is used to treat uncomplicated malaria?

Oral therapy

What is a symptom of severe malaria that requires intravenous therapy?

Cerebral involvement

When an individual has malaria, what are signs of the disease progressing to cerebral malaria?

Drowsiness, confusion, delirium, open eyed but non seeing, seizures, neck rigidity

What symptom is present when a patient has a P. falciparum infection?

Coma