Parasitic diseases of the central nervous system: lessons for clinicians and policy makers

Abstract

Parasitic diseases of the central nervous system are associated with high mortality and morbidity, especially in resource-limited settings. The burden of these diseases is amplified as survivors are often left with neurologic sequelae affecting mobility, sensory organs, and cognitive functions, as well as seizures/epilepsy. These diseases inflict suffering by causing lifelong disabilities, reducing economic productivity, and causing social stigma. The complexity of parasitic life cycles and geographic specificities, as well as overlapping clinical manifestations in the host reflecting the diverse pathogenesis of parasites, can present diagnostic challenges. We herein provide an overview of these parasitic diseases and summarize clinical aspects, diagnosis, therapeutic strategies and recent milestones, and aspects related to prevention and control.

Parasites in central nervous system

“…All over the world, parasitic diseases of the CNS are considered sources of mortality and morbidity. Parasites are a variety of organisms which can be classified into protozoa the single cell organism and metazoan the multicellular organisms [3]. The protozoans are either obligate parasites or free-living [4].…”

“…Malaria also causes CNS disorders [10]. Some parasites cause diseases with symptoms, whereas the others only cause few symptoms [3]. These disorders involve variety of vectors, causative organisms, and have several modes of transmission as well as endemic areas [3].…”

“…Some parasites cause diseases with symptoms, whereas the others only cause few symptoms [3]. These disorders involve variety of vectors, causative organisms, and have several modes of transmission as well as endemic areas [3]. Seizures and epilepsy are related to parasitic brain infections using encephalopathy, diffuse encephalitis, or intracerebral location of the parasite [11].…”

“…Most of the seizures that caused by the parasitic disease is a result of neurocysticercosis and malaria [9]. The complication caused by the parasitic infections affect millions of adults and children in low-and middle-income countries, these complications include cognitive, neurological, and mental health complications [3]. Although the previous complications occur in endemic areas of parasites, sporadic cases appear in non-endemic regions [3].…”

“…The complication caused by the parasitic infections affect millions of adults and children in low-and middle-income countries, these complications include cognitive, neurological, and mental health complications [3]. Although the previous complications occur in endemic areas of parasites, sporadic cases appear in non-endemic regions [3]. Our continent Africa is considered to be the home of malaria [3] and two species of Schistosoma (Schistosoma mansoni and Schistosoma haematobium) represent a problem in Egypt as they transmit via the Nile River valley [12].…”