Clinical features
The cysticerci develop in subcutaneous tissues, muscles and viscera. Also, they may develop in the eye and brain. There is only a moderate tissue reaction while the larva is viable. However, if the larva dies, there is a marked tissue response characterised by muscle pains, weakness, fever and eosinophilia.
There are three principle forms:
- cerebral cysticercosis - may present as epilepsy, meningoencephalitis, space-occupying lesion or focal neurological deficits
- ocular cysticercosis - conjunctivitis, uveitis, choroidal atrophy, retinitis. Ocular cysticercosis may cause blindness.
- subcutaneous cysticercosis - presents as hard, small, pea-sized nodules in the subcutaneous tissues
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