Long-term albendazole therapy for diffuse parenchymal neurocysticercosis in an immunocompetent patient: A case report

Rationale: Neurocysticercosis is a neglected tropical disease caused by the larvae of Taenia solium and may occur in immunocompetent people. We report a case of diffuse parenchymal neurocysticercosis mimicking tuberculous meningitis in an immunocompetent patient. Patient concerns: A 24-year-old immu...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine
Main Authors: Paulus Sugianto, Abdulloh Machin, Wardah Rahmatul Islamiyah, Cindy Cecilia
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2023
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.4103/1995-7645.368014
https://doaj.org/article/e8bd6310eb7149e3b89736f731bc5cc7
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Summary:Rationale: Neurocysticercosis is a neglected tropical disease caused by the larvae of Taenia solium and may occur in immunocompetent people. We report a case of diffuse parenchymal neurocysticercosis mimicking tuberculous meningitis in an immunocompetent patient. Patient concerns: A 24-year-old immunocompetent woman presented with serial focal to generalized seizure, left body weakness, left abducens palsy, chronic cough, and body weight loss. She came from an area where she was unlikely to have contact with Taenia solium. Diagnosis: Diffuse parenchymal neurocysticercosis. Intervention: Valproic acid, dexamethasone and 15 months of albendazole therapy. Outcome: Complete recovery without any neurological sequelae. Lessons: Prolonged anthelminthic treatment may benefit neurocysticercosis patients with multiple cerebral parenchymal lesions.