[The chemotherapy of cysticercosis. The results 10 years or more after follow-up].

Abstract

Chemotherapy for neurocysticercosis was born logically because of the scant success of surgery, which is generally palliative, not curative. Prazicuantel is the only drug about which serious of more than 100 cases, and follow-up of more than 2 years, have been published. Its use has become universal, reason enough for this theme to be addressed. This paper pretends to contribute to the determination of its therapeutic value in the treatment of neurocysticercosis by means of the clinical and radiologic treatment of 50 sick persons followed up for from between 10 (72%) and more than 10 (28%) years. The patients had been treated with prazicuantel with a dose of 50 mg per kilo of body weight during 15 days; 26% received one treatment, 58% received two, and 22%, three or more treatments. The patients were studied once again clinically and radiologically with computed axial tomography of the cranium and magnetic resonance. Biological testing was done only if activity-suspected cases. The results showed a rate of 68% clinical cures or important improvement. Emphasis is made of the 6% of cases in which the clinical cure process was apparent. It was confirmed that neurocysticercosis is a generalized chronic ailment in which evolution is achieved by means of periods of activity alternating with periods of recession. The employment of witnesses is not advised, and it is suggested for later investigation that ample series of cases be followed-up over long periods of time. It is insisted upon that the best treatment for the illness is prophylaxis.

• Authors: C Robles, N Vargas-Tentori, A M Sedano
• Journal: Gaceta medica de Mexico (Gac Med Mex) 1997 Mar-Apr Vol. 133 Issue 2 Pg. 127-39 ISSN: 0016-3813 [Print] Mexico
• Vernacular Title: Quimioterapia de la cisticercosis. Resultados de 10 años ó más después del seguimiento.
• PMID: 9254282 (Publication Type: English Abstract, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antiplatyhelmintic Agents
• Praziquantel

Topics

• Adolescent
• Antiplatyhelmintic Agents (therapeutic use)
• Brain Diseases (diagnosis, drug therapy, etiology, mortality)
• Child
• Chronic Disease
• Cysticercosis (complications, diagnosis, drug therapy, mortality)
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Humans
• Male
• Mexico (epidemiology)
• Praziquantel (therapeutic use)
• Remission Induction
• Time Factors