clinical features

Last reviewed 01/2022

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