Anterior orbital cysticercosis: A case presentation

• Main Author: Sujit Das
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2017-01-01
• Series: Kerala Journal of Ophthalmology
• Subjects: Cysticercus; parasitic infection of eye; tape worm and eye
• Online Access: http://www.kjophthal.com/article.asp?issn=0976-6677;year=2017;volume=29;issue=3;spage=230;epage=233;aulast=Das

One of the most important parasites which frequently cause blindness in humans is the cysticercus cellulosae. Cysticercus cellulosae, the larval form of the pork tapeworm Taenia solium, is the causative organism of cysticercosis, in which humans are the intermediate hosts in the life cycle. Cysticercus cellulosae may become encysted in various bodily tissues, usually the eyes, central nervous system, and subcutaneous tissues. An immunologic reaction with fairly intense inflammatory signs and symptoms may be produced, and the surrounding structures may be compressed. Acquired strabismus, diplopia, recurrent redness, and painful proptosis are some of the clinical signs in patients with orbital cysticercosis. Diagnosis of cysticercosis is based mainly on orbital imaging because of its highly specific appearance. Medical therapy is the main stay of treatment. Cysticercosis is the infestation by cysticercus cellulosae, the larval form of the pork tapeworm, T. solium. It is contracted by ingestion of the infective cysticerci in under cooked pork; ingestion of eggs of T. solium in contaminated water, food, or vegetables; and regurgitation of eggs from the small intestine. The sites for predilection for the development of cysticerci are the central nervous system, subcutaneous tissue, skeletal muscle, heart muscle, and the eye.