Telha
A 52-year-old man from Florida initially diagnosed with severe migraines was discovered to be battling a peculiar tapeworm infestation in his brain, which was believed to have been caused by consuming undercooked bacon. The unnamed patient, whose medical ordeal was recently detailed in the American Journal of Case Reports, had been experiencing intense headaches lasting a week, occurring repeatedly over a four-month period following the consumption of the pork product.
Experts noted that the individual’s preference for soft bacon wasn’t the sole factor contributing to this unusual ailment; rather, the undercooked bacon was likely contaminated, rendering the man particularly susceptible to infection. This perfect storm scenario resulted in neurocysticercosis, a condition where parasites lay eggs that infect various parts of the body. What’s even more disturbing is that neurocysticercosis can be contagious.
“It is historically very uncommon to encounter infected pork in the United States, and our case may have public health implications,” researchers stated. According to the CDC, individuals afflicted with this condition can spread eggs to others, particularly through food, if they fail to thoroughly wash their hands after using the restroom. While the CDC considers this ailment preventable, it still leads to hospitalization for approximately 1,000 Americans each year.
In this instance, along with experiencing swelling, the patient developed cysts on both sides of his brain, later determined to be caused by tapeworm eggs. Treatment with the deworming drug albendazole led to improvements after two weeks.
Since four out of five cases involve seizures, clinicians are being cautioned to remain vigilant and gather comprehensive medical histories from patients experiencing changes in their migraine patterns.
