Number and viability of parasite influence seizure frequency in children with neurocysticercosis

Arq Neuropsiquiatr. 2002 Dec;60(4):909-11. doi: 10.1590/s0004-282x2002000600004. Epub 2003 Jan 15.

Abstract

We investigated the relationship between CT findings - number and the viability phase of the parasites - and the seizure frequency in children with neurocysticercosis before and short-term after antiepileptic drug (AED) introduction. We only found a significant interaction between stage of parasitic infection and number of lesions on seizure frequency after AED treatment. Patients with more than five lesions on active or transitional stages had higher seizure frequency predicting a worse short-term prognosis.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Anticonvulsants / therapeutic use
  • Child
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Neurocysticercosis / complications*
  • Neurocysticercosis / diagnostic imaging
  • Parasite Egg Count*
  • Prognosis
  • Seizures / diagnostic imaging
  • Seizures / drug therapy
  • Seizures / parasitology*
  • Taenia solium / isolation & purification
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Anticonvulsants