Neuroparasitology and Tropical Neurology

Neuroparasitology and Tropical Neurology PDF Author: Hector H. Garcia
Publisher: Newnes
ISBN: 0444534997
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 433

Get Book Here

Book Description
Neuroparasitology and Tropical Neurology, a new volume in The Handbook of Clinical Neurology, provides a comprehensive and contemporary reference on parasitic infections of the human nervous system. Parasitic infections are varied and some are resolved by the host's immune system, other infections may become established even though unnoticed, and some cause severe disease and death. In our modern world, neuroparasitoses are no longer geographically isolated and these infections now appear worldwide. Outside of a very few well understood pathologies, most parasitic infections have been neglected in the neurological literature and most neurologists have never diagnosed such an infection. This volume details how, with the advent of modern neuroimaging techniques, improved diagnostic applications of molecular biology, more accurate immunodiagnosis, and minimally invasive neurosurgery, human nervous system parasitoses are now diagnosed and treated, with increasing frequency. The book is divided into six sections, and begins with an introduction to the mechanisms of infection, diagnosis, and pathology of parasitic diseases. Subsequent chapters detail protozoan diseases and a section covering each of the major classes of human-infecting helminths: nematodes (roundworms), trematodes (flukes), and cestodes (tapeworms). The final section contains chapters on other important areas of tropical clinical medicine including the neurological complications of venomous bites and tropical nutritional deficiencies. Neuroparasitology and Tropical Neurology will be of interest to neurologists, neurosurgeons and other health professionals encountering patients with parasitic infections. - A comprehensive reference resource on the diagnosis and treatment of parasitic infections of the human nervous system - Focuses on the impact of modern neuroimaging techniques, improved diagnostic applications of molecular biology, more accurate immunodiagnosis, and minimally invasive neurosurgery to diagnose parasitoses - International list of contributors including the leading workers in the field

Neuroparasitology and Tropical Neurology

Neuroparasitology and Tropical Neurology PDF Author: Hector H. Garcia
Publisher: Newnes
ISBN: 0444534997
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 433

Get Book Here

Book Description
Neuroparasitology and Tropical Neurology, a new volume in The Handbook of Clinical Neurology, provides a comprehensive and contemporary reference on parasitic infections of the human nervous system. Parasitic infections are varied and some are resolved by the host's immune system, other infections may become established even though unnoticed, and some cause severe disease and death. In our modern world, neuroparasitoses are no longer geographically isolated and these infections now appear worldwide. Outside of a very few well understood pathologies, most parasitic infections have been neglected in the neurological literature and most neurologists have never diagnosed such an infection. This volume details how, with the advent of modern neuroimaging techniques, improved diagnostic applications of molecular biology, more accurate immunodiagnosis, and minimally invasive neurosurgery, human nervous system parasitoses are now diagnosed and treated, with increasing frequency. The book is divided into six sections, and begins with an introduction to the mechanisms of infection, diagnosis, and pathology of parasitic diseases. Subsequent chapters detail protozoan diseases and a section covering each of the major classes of human-infecting helminths: nematodes (roundworms), trematodes (flukes), and cestodes (tapeworms). The final section contains chapters on other important areas of tropical clinical medicine including the neurological complications of venomous bites and tropical nutritional deficiencies. Neuroparasitology and Tropical Neurology will be of interest to neurologists, neurosurgeons and other health professionals encountering patients with parasitic infections. - A comprehensive reference resource on the diagnosis and treatment of parasitic infections of the human nervous system - Focuses on the impact of modern neuroimaging techniques, improved diagnostic applications of molecular biology, more accurate immunodiagnosis, and minimally invasive neurosurgery to diagnose parasitoses - International list of contributors including the leading workers in the field

Neuroparasitology and Tropical Neurology

Neuroparasitology and Tropical Neurology PDF Author: Jane Kvalsvig
Publisher: Elsevier Inc. Chapters
ISBN: 0128079738
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 28

Get Book Here

Book Description
Published reviews vary on the question of whether geohelminth infections affect cognitive development: some claim that the scarcity of evidence means that it is unlikely that they do; others present modest evidence for an effect; and others raise the possibility that the damage is considerable but largely unresearched. This chapter reviews the characteristics of the geohelminths themselves and the pathways by which they could affect the development of children in endemic areas. It describes the progress made in the last decade in conceptualizing children's brains as complex adaptive systems, with the suggestion that infections at different stages in brain development might have different neurobehavioral consequences. An examination of research reports and review articles highlights the difficulties inherent in assessing the effects of geohelminth infections: other serious obstacles to healthy development in the same population may mask the effects of the geohelminths, and consequently the intensity and pathogenicity of the infection is probably an important issue. Selecting cognitive measures suitable for assessing development in very young children is no simple matter, and careful statistical analysis is required to tease out the primary and secondary factors at work. The insights gained from a broad range of relevant research reports have placed us in a better position to conduct more telling research into the effects of these widespread, but neglected, tropical diseases.

Neuroparasitology and Tropical Neurology

Neuroparasitology and Tropical Neurology PDF Author: William A. Petri
Publisher: Elsevier Inc. Chapters
ISBN: 0128079533
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 20

Get Book Here

Book Description
Brain abscess due to Entamoeba histolytica is most commonly seen in a small percentage of patients who also have an amebic liver abscess. The typical patient is a young man who after treatment for liver abscess with apparent improvement develops symptoms and signs of central nervous system involvement. The average age of the patient is 30 years, and common presentations include headache, vomiting, and altered mental status. Signs of amebic brain abscess include most commonly meningeal signs, facial nerve (VII) palsy, motor paralysis, and seizure. Most patients have abnormal cerebrospinal fluid although there is no special or characteristic abnormality. Diagnosis is by serology and PCR of brain abscess aspirate or CSF and treatment is with metronidazole.

Neuroparasitology and Tropical Neurology

Neuroparasitology and Tropical Neurology PDF Author: Oscar H. Del Brutto
Publisher: Elsevier Inc. Chapters
ISBN: 012807972X
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 54

Get Book Here

Book Description
Snake and spider bites, as well as scorpion sting envenoming, are neglected diseases affecting millions of people all over the world. Neurological complications vary according to the offending animal, and are often directly related to toxic effects of the venom, affecting the central nervous system, the neuromuscular transmission, the cardiovascular system, or the coagulation cascade. Snake bite envenoming may result in stroke or muscle paralysis. Metalloproteinases and other substances (common in vipers and colubrids) have anticoagulant or procoagulant activity, and may induce ischemic or hemorrhagic strokes. The venom of elapids is rich in neurotoxins affecting the neuromuscular transmission at either presynaptic or postsynaptic levels. The clinical picture of scorpion sting envenoming is dominated by muscle weakness associated with arterial hypertension, cardiac arrythmias, myocarditis, or pulmonary edema. These manifestations occur as the result of release of catecholamines into the bloodstream or due to direct cardiac toxicity of the venom. Cerebrovascular complications have been reported after the sting of the Indian red scorpion. Intracranial hemorrhages occur in the setting of acute increases in arterial blood pressure related to sympathetic overstimulation, and cerebral infarctions are related to either cerebral hypoperfusion, consumption coagulopathy, vasculitis, or cardiogenic brain embolism. Three main syndromes result from spider bite envenoming: latrodectism, loxoscelism, and funnel-web spider envenoming. Latrodectism is related to neurotoxins present in the venom of widow spiders. Most cases present with headache, lethargy, irritability, myalgia, tremor, fasciculation, or ataxia. Loxoscelism is caused by envenoming by spiders of the family Sicariidae. It may present with a stroke due to a severe coagulopathy. The venom of funnel-web spiders also has neurotoxins that stimulate neurotransmitter release, resulting in sensory disturbances and muscle paralysis. Proper management of the envenomed patient, including prompt transport to the hospital, correction of the hemostatic disorder, ventilatory support, and administration of antivenom, significantly reduce the risk of neurological complications which, in turn, reduce the mortality and improve the functional outcome of survivors.

Neuroparasitology and Tropical Neurology

Neuroparasitology and Tropical Neurology PDF Author: Douglas G. Postels
Publisher: Elsevier Inc. Chapters
ISBN: 0128079509
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 33

Get Book Here

Book Description
Malaria, the most significant parasitic disease of man, kills approximately one million people per year. Half of these deaths occur in those with cerebral malaria (CM). The World Health Organization (WHO) defines CM as an otherwise unexplained coma in a patient with malarial parasitemia. Worldwide, CM occurs primarily in African children and Asian adults, with the vast majority (greater than 90%) of cases occurring in children 5 years old or younger in sub-Saharan Africa. The pathophysiology of the disease is complex and involves infected erythrocyte sequestration, cerebral inflammation, and breakdown of the blood−brain barrier. A recently characterized malarial retinopathy is visual evidence of Plasmodium falciparum's pathophysiological processes occurring in the affected patient. Treatment consists of supportive care and antimalarial administration. Thus far, adjuvant therapies have not been shown to improve mortality rates or neurological outcomes in children with CM. For those who survive CM, residual neurological abnormalities are common. Epilepsy, cognitive impairment, behavioral disorders, and gross neurological deficits which include motor, sensory, and language impairments are frequent sequelae. Primary prevention strategies, including bed nets, vaccine development, and chemoprophylaxis, are in varied states of development and implementation. Continuing efforts to find successful primary prevention options and strategies to decrease neurological sequelae are needed.

Neuroparasitology and Tropical Neurology

Neuroparasitology and Tropical Neurology PDF Author: Alejandro Llanos-Cuentas
Publisher: Elsevier Inc. Chapters
ISBN: 0128079576
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 19

Get Book Here

Book Description
Leishmaniasis is a spectral disease, caused by obligate intracellular protozoa of the species Leishmania. There are multiple reported instances where neurological manifestations, whether central or peripheral, are described. In this review we describe neurological manifestations seen during infection with Leishmania spp. Taken together, the material discussed here suggests that in patients from Leishmania-endemic areas, when observing neurological symptoms, causation secondary to infection with Leishmania spp. may be considered.

Neuroparasitology and Tropical Neurology

Neuroparasitology and Tropical Neurology PDF Author: Fernando Woll
Publisher: Elsevier Inc. Chapters
ISBN: 0128079614
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 20

Get Book Here

Book Description
Strongyloides stercoralis is a nematode endemic in humid tropical regions. The life cycle of this parasite is complex and unique due to its capacity to cause autoinfection, resulting in chronic infections. Innate and adaptive immune responses are responsible for clearing the parasite. Many risk factors have been described, but the most important is living in or having visited an endemic area. The clinical presentation of strongyloidiasis is varied and ranges from asymptomatic chronic infection to hyperinfection syndrome. Hyperinfection syndrome is more common in patients with immunosuppresion due to therapy with corticosteroids, coinfection with human T-lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-1), transplant patients, or patients receiving chemotherapy. Multiplication and migration of large parasite numbers cause worsening of the initial symptoms and leads to a high mortality rate. CNS involvement in strongyloidiasis has only been seen in patients with hyperinfection syndrome. Meningitis is the most common form of CNS involvement and gram-negative bacteria are the more frequent etiology. Repeated stool samples with concentration methods have a good sensitivity and specificity. In patients that are not from endemic areas serum antibody tests may be useful in the diagnosis. Treatment with a single dose of ivermectin is recommended for most patients. In severe or hyperinfection cases repeated doses may be needed

Neuroparasitology and Tropical Neurology

Neuroparasitology and Tropical Neurology PDF Author: Santiago Mas-Coma
Publisher: Elsevier Inc. Chapters
ISBN: 0128079681
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 36

Get Book Here

Book Description
Fascioliasis is a worldwide, zoonotic disease caused by the liver trematodes Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica. Neurological fascioliasis has been widely reported in all continents, affecting both sexes and all ages. Two types of records related to two physiopathogenic mechanisms may be distinguished: cases in which the neurological symptoms are due to direct effects of a migrating juvenile present in the brain or neighboring organ and with cerebral lesions suggesting migration through the brain; and cases with neurological symptoms due to indirect immuno-allergic and toxic effects at distance from flukes in the liver. Neurological manifestations include minor symptoms, mainly cephalalgias, and major symptoms which are nonspecific, extremely diverse, varying from one patient to another and even within the same patient, and comprising meningeal manifestations and impressive neurological manifestations. The puzzling neurological polymorphism leads to confusion with cerebral tumors, multiple sclerosis, lesions of the brainstem, or cerebro-meningeal hemorrhages. Only blood eosinophilia and information on infection source guide toward correct diagnosis by appropriate coprological and/or serological techniques. Although neurological patients usually recover after fasciolicide treatment or surgical worm extraction, sequelae, which are sometimes important, remain in several patients. The need to include possible neurological complications within the general frame of fascioliasis becomes evident.

Neuroparasitology and Tropical Neurology

Neuroparasitology and Tropical Neurology PDF Author: Andres G. Lescano
Publisher: Elsevier Inc. Chapters
ISBN: 0128079711
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 29

Get Book Here

Book Description
Many cestodes are capable of invading the central nervous system (CNS), and several are highly prevalent in the developing world. Neurocysticercosis due to Taenia solium and echinococcosis due to Echinoccocus granulosus are two of the most common parasitic infections affecting humans, but other less well-known parasites can also infect the nervous system. Coenurosis, caused by Taenia spp. such as T. multiceps, T. serialis, or T. brauni; sparganosis, caused by Spirometra spp., and neurocysticercosis caused by T. crassiceps are three less frequent zoonotic conditions that should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with CNS infection – especially if they have lived in or traveled through areas where these infections are endemic. Diagnosis of these infections is typically made through a combination of serological testing, histopathology, and neuroimaging.

Neuroparasitology and Tropical Neurology

Neuroparasitology and Tropical Neurology PDF Author: Kevin R. Kazacos
Publisher: Elsevier Inc. Chapters
ISBN: 0128079649
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 33

Get Book Here

Book Description
Baylisascaris procyonis is a roundworm of the raccoon found primarily in North America but also known to occur in other parts of the world including South America, Europe, and Japan. Migration of the larvae of this parasite is recognized as a cause of clinical neural larva migrans (NLM) in humans, primarily children. It is manifested as meningoencephalitis associated with marked eosinophilia of the cerebrospinal fluid and peripheral blood. Diagnosis is made by recovering and identifying larvae in or from the tissues, epidemiological history, serology, and imaging of the central nervous system. Treatment is with albendazole and steroids, although the prognosis is generally poor. This parasite can also cause ocular larva migrans (OLM) which usually presents as diffuse unilateral subacute neuroretinitis (DUSN). The ocular diagnosis can be made by visualizing the larva in the eye and by serology. Intraocular larvae can be destroyed by photocoagulation although albendazole and steroids may also be used. However, once visual disturbance is established the prognosis for improved vision is poor. Related Baylisascaris species occur in skunks, badgers, and certain other carnivores, although most cases of NLM are caused by B. procyonis. Baylisascaris procyonis has also been found in kinkajous in the USA and South America and may also occur in related procyonids (coatis, olingos, etc.).