B69: Cysticercosis
Cysticercosis is a parasitic infection caused by ingesting eggs of the pork tapeworm, Taenia solium. After ingestion, the eggs hatch into larvae in the intestine, which can then migrate to different parts of the body and form cysts. This infection can affect various body systems, including the nervous system, muscles, skin, and eyes. Neurocysticercosis, when cysts form in the brain, is particularly serious and can lead to seizures, headaches, and other neurological problems. Infection with Taenia solium occurs when people consume undercooked or contaminated pork, or through poor hygiene practices, especially in areas where sanitation is inadequate. The progression of the disease varies, depending largely on where the cysts form. Manifestations can range from mild to severe, sometimes having no symptoms until complications develop.
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