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BACKGROUND: Data supporting a link between frailty and risk of falls is mostly confined to individuals living in urban centers, where risk factors and lifestyles are different from that of rural settings. OBJECTIVE: To assess the association between frailty and risk of falls in older adults living in rural Ecuador. DESIGN: Population-based cross-sectional study. PARTICIPANTS: Community-dwellers aged ≥60 years living in a rural Ecuadorian village, in whom frail status and risk of falls were assessed. MEASUREMENTS: Frailty was evaluated by the Edmonton Frailty Scale (EFS) and risk of falls by the Downton Fall Risk Index (DFRI). Multivariate models were fitted to evaluate whether frailty was associated with risk of falls (dependent variable), after adjusting for demographics, alcohol intake, cardiovascular risk factors, sleep quality, symptoms of depression, and history of an overt stroke. Correlation coefficients were constructed to assess confounders modifying this association. RESULTS: A total of 324 participants (mean age: 70.5±8 years) were included. The mean EFS score was 4.4±2.5 points, with 180 (56%) participants classified as robust, 76 (23%) as pre-frail and 68 (21%) as frail. The DFRI was positive in 87 (27%) participants. In univariate analysis, the EFS score was higher among participants with a positive DFRI (p<0.001). The number of frail individuals was higher (p<0.001), while that of robust individuals was lower (p<0.001) among those with a positive DFRI. Adjusted logistic regression models showed no association between frailty and the DFRI. Correlation coefficients showed that age, high glucose levels, and history of an overt stroke tempered the association between frailty and the risk of falls found in univariate analyses. CONCLUSIONS: Frailty is not independently associated with risk of falls in older adults living in a remote rural setting. Further studies are needed to assess the impact of frailty on the risk of falls in these populations.
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Accidentes por Caídas/estadística & datos numéricos , Anciano Frágil/estadística & datos numéricos , Fragilidad/epidemiología , Vida Independiente/estadística & datos numéricos , Población Rural/estadística & datos numéricos , Anciano , Estudios Transversales , Ecuador/epidemiología , Humanos , Persona de Mediana Edad , Medición de RiesgoRESUMEN
RESUMEN Antecedentes: La comunidad ecuatoriana es la tercera comunidad extranjera más numerosa en España. Sin embargo, es poco lo que se conoce acerca de su estado de salud cardiovascular (CV) y si los efectos de la migración han causado un detrimento en dicho estado. Métodos: Con el objetivo de conocer la salud CV en una población ecuatoriana de migrantes en Madrid, se realizó un estudio transversal no aleatorizado en el que se incluyeron personas de nacionalidad ecuatoriana, mayores de 25 años, residentes en Madrid desde hace un año o más. Se realizaron encuestas, mediante el uso de cuestionarios previamente validados, para determinar el estado de salud CV de la población, así como el grado de distress psicológico. Resultados: Se incluyeron 165 participantes (68,5% mujeres), con edad promedio de 49 años. El 86,1% de la población estudiada presentó salud cardiovascular pobre y 13,9% intermedia, sin diferencias significativas según el sexo. No hubo individuos que cumplan las 7 variables con valores ideales. Las mujeres presentaron puntuaciones más altas en el cuestionario DASS-21 en comparación a los hombres (p<0,05). Conclusión: En la población migrante ecuatoriana residente en Madrid, más del 85% presentó una salud CV pobre, y ninguno presentó una salud CV ideal. Los factores de riesgo más prevalentes en dicha población fueron pobre actividad física, sobrepeso/obesidad y malos hábitos dietéticos. Se requieren más estudios para identificar la situación real de riesgo CV de la población migrante ecuatoriana. Probablemente, a medio-largo plazo, será necesario implementar políticas de salud especialmente dirigidas a los migrantes.
ABSTRACT Background: The Ecuadorian community is the third largest foreign community in Spain. However, little is known about their cardiovascular (CV) health status and whether the effects of migration have caused a detriment in that state. Methods: With the aim of knowing the CV health in an Ecuadorian population of migrants in Madrid, a non-randomized, cross-sectional study was carried out, which included people of Ecuadorian nationality, older than 25 years, living in Madrid for a year or more. Surveys were conducted through the use of previously validated questionnaires, to determine the health status of the population, as well as the degree of neuro-physiological distress. Results: We included 165 participants (68.5% women), with an average age of 49 years. Of these, 86.1% presented poor cardiovascular health and 13.9% intermediate, without significant differences according to sex. There were no individuals that met the 7 variables consistent with and ideal CV status. Women had higher scores on the DASS-21 questionnaire compared to men (p <0.05). Conclusion: In the Ecuadorian migrant population living in Madrid, more than 85% had poor CV health, and none had an ideal CV health. Most prevalent risk factors in this population were poor physical activity, overweight/obesity and poor dietary habits. More studies are required to identify the real situation of CV risk in the Ecuadorian migrant population. Probably, in the medium-long term, it will be necessary to implement health policies especially addressed to migrants.
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Dieta , Aceites de Pescado/administración & dosificación , Peces , Enfermedad Arterial Periférica/prevención & control , Salud Rural , Rigidez Vascular , Factores de Edad , Anciano , Animales , Estudios Transversales , Ecuador/epidemiología , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Valor Nutritivo , Enfermedad Arterial Periférica/diagnóstico , Enfermedad Arterial Periférica/epidemiología , Enfermedad Arterial Periférica/fisiopatología , Tamaño de la Porción , Factores Protectores , Ingesta Diaria Recomendada , Factores de RiesgoRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: A unified set of criteria for neurocysticercosis (NCC) has helped to standardize its diagnosis in different settings. METHODS: Cysticercosis experts were convened to update current diagnostic criteria for NCC according to two principles: neuroimaging studies are essential for diagnosis, and all other information provides indirect evidence favoring the diagnosis. Recent diagnostic advances were incorporated to this revised set. RESULTS: This revised set is structured in absolute, neuroimaging and clinical/exposure criteria. Absolute criteria include: histological confirmation of parasites, evidence of subretinal cysts, and demonstration of the scolex within a cyst. Neuroimaging criteria are categorized as major (cystic lesions without scolex, enhancing lesions, multilobulated cysts, and calcifications), confirmative (resolution of cysts after cysticidal drug therapy, spontaneous resolution of single enhancing lesions, and migrating ventricular cysts on sequential neuroimaging studies) and minor (hydrocephalus and leptomeningeal enhancement). Clinical/exposure criteria include: detection of anticysticercal antibodies or cysticercal antigens by well-standardized tests, systemic cysticercosis, evidence of a household Taenia carrier, suggestive clinical manifestations, and residency in endemic areas. Besides patients having absolute criteria, definitive diagnosis can be made in those having two major neuroimaging criteria (or one major plus one confirmative criteria) plus exposure. For patients presenting with one major and one minor neuroimaging criteria plus exposure, definitive diagnosis of NCC requires the exclusion of confounding pathologies. Probable diagnosis is reserved for individuals presenting with one neuroimaging criteria plus strong evidence of exposure. CONCLUSIONS: This revised set of diagnostic criteria provides simpler definitions and may facilitate its more uniform and widespread applicability in different scenarios.
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Neurocisticercosis/diagnóstico , Encéfalo/diagnóstico por imagen , Humanos , NeuroimagenRESUMEN
Snake bite envenoming is a neglected tropical disease affecting millions of people living in the developing world. According to the offending snake species, the clinical picture may be dominated by swelling and soft tissue necrosis in the bitten limb, or by systemic or neurological manifestations. Serious neurological complications, including stroke and muscle paralysis, are related to the toxic effects of the venom, which contains a complex mixture of toxins affecting the coagulation cascade, the neuromuscular transmission, or both. Metalloproteinases, serine proteases, and C-type lentins (common in viper and colubrid venoms) have anticoagulant or procoagulant activity and may be either agonists or antagonists of platelet aggregation; as a result, ischemic or hemorrhagic strokes may occur. In contrast, the venom of elapids is rich in phospholipase A(2) and three-finger proteins, which are potent neurotoxins affecting the neuromuscular transmission at either presynaptic or post-synaptic levels. Presynaptic-acting neurotoxins (called ß-neurotoxins) inhibit the release of acetylcholine, while post-synaptic-acting neurotoxins (called α-neurotoxins) cause a reversible blockage of acetylcholine receptors. Proper management of the envenomed patient, including prompt transport to the hospital, correction of the hemostatic disorder, ventilatory support, and administration of antivenom, significantly reduces the risk of neurological complications which, in turn, reduce the mortality and improve the functional outcome of survivors.
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Enfermedades del Sistema Nervioso/etiología , Neurotoxinas/toxicidad , Mordeduras de Serpientes/complicaciones , Mordeduras de Serpientes/terapia , Venenos de Serpiente/toxicidad , Serpientes , Animales , Coagulación Sanguínea/efectos de los fármacos , Humanos , Mordeduras de Serpientes/epidemiologíaRESUMEN
The authors carried out a three-phase door-to-door survey in Atahualpa, Ecuador to assess epidemiologic and pathogenetic mechanisms of stroke. They found 10 stroke patients among 1,568 individuals aged > or =15 years (crude prevalence, 638 per 100,000). There was only one incident case (incidence, 64 per 100,000). Six of the 10 patients had hypertensive arteriolopathy (five with ischemic and one with hemorrhagic stroke). Additional work is needed to increase knowledge on stroke in developing countries.
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Accidente Cerebrovascular/epidemiología , Adolescente , Adulto , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Alcoholismo/epidemiología , Comorbilidad , Complicaciones de la Diabetes/epidemiología , Ecuador/epidemiología , Femenino , Encuestas Epidemiológicas , Humanos , Hipertensión/epidemiología , Incidencia , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Proyectos Piloto , Valor Predictivo de las Pruebas , Prevalencia , Recurrencia , Población Rural , Sensibilidad y Especificidad , Encuestas y CuestionariosRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the accuracy of an screening questionnaire for stroke detection in speaking-speaking communities. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed a door-to-door survey in Atahualpa (a rural community in coastal Ecuador) using a modified version of the Spanish translation of the OMS questionnaire for stroke detection. Subjects suspected of having a stroke as well as a 2% sample of negative subjects were evaluated by neurologists to evaluate sensitivity, specificity, and predictive value of the questionnaire and that of each of its questions. RESULTS: We found 18 possible cases among 1,568 individuals around 15 years old. Of these, 10 were confirmed stroke patients and 8 were false-positive (crude stroke prevalence of 6.38 per 1,000). We did not find false-negative cases. Sensitivity of the questionnaire was 100%, specificity was 99.5%, positive predictive value was 0.55 and negative predictive value was 1. The accuracy of each question as well as the number of questions answered as affirmative were different between patients and false-positive cases. CONCLUSIONS: The current questionnaire is highly sensitive but its positive predictive value is poor. This causes problems in large-scale studies, as the detection of many false-positives may compromise its viability. We propose a modification of the questionnaire that will turn it more accurate.
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Accidente Cerebrovascular/diagnóstico , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , Adulto , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Femenino , Humanos , Lenguaje , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Valor Predictivo de las PruebasRESUMEN
AIMS: We review the relationship between body temperature and severity of acute stroke, and evaluate published evidence about the possible neuroprotective effect of hypothermia in these patients. METHODS: In acute stroke patients, hypothermia increases oxygen consumption and metabolic demands of cerebral cells, favors liberation of oxygen radicals, glutamate, and other neurotransmisors involved in brain injury, and enhances biochemical processes leading to apoptosis. Preliminary data suggest that induced hypothermia is feasible and relatively safe in acute stroke patients; this may lead to a better outcome in terms of reduced mortality and less disabling sequelae in survivors. To enhance its possible efficacy, hypothermia should be started in the first 6 to 12 hours after the event, should be prolonged for at least 24 to 48 hours, and should be done with cooling blankets or ice pads, as antipyretics are not effective to induce hypothermia in normothermic subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Hyperthermia is deleterious in acute stroke patients and must be treated. Hypothermia should not be considered a routine procedure in these patients until its safety and efficacy has been demonstrated in large trials. Patients with induced hypothermia should be closely monitorized to reduce the risk of adverse effects related to the procedure.
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Temperatura Corporal/fisiología , Hipotermia Inducida , Accidente Cerebrovascular , Fiebre/terapia , Humanos , Pronóstico , Accidente Cerebrovascular/diagnóstico , Accidente Cerebrovascular/patología , Accidente Cerebrovascular/fisiopatología , Accidente Cerebrovascular/terapiaRESUMEN
Objetivo. Revisar las manifestaciones clínicas, diagnóstico y tratamiento de entidades responsables del desarrollo de enfermedad cerebrovascular (ECV) en regiones tropicales. Desarrollo. Entre las enfermedades tropicales que se asocian con ECV se destacan: la anemia de células falciformes, la arteritis de Takayasu, la cisticercosis, la endocarditis infecciosa, la enfermedad de Chagas, las fiebres hemorrágicas víricas, la gnatostomiasis, la leptospirosis, las mordeduras de serpiente, el paludismo cerebral, la trombosis venosa puerperal y la tuberculosis. Dichas entidades pueden producir infartos o hemorragias cerebrales y, en la mayoría de los casos, estas complicaciones se relacionan con daño vascular secundario a angeítis o se presentan como parte de una coagulopatía diseminada con sangrado en otros órganos. En algunos casos, la gravedad del compromiso neurológico no permite identificar un síndrome ictal específico y las complicaciones cerebrovasculares solamente son reconocidas mediante estudios de neuroimagen o en la autopsia. Conclusiones. Existe un grupo de enfermedades, infecciosas o no, capaces de producir infartos o hemorragias cerebrales en los trópicos. Su reconocimiento oportuno permite iniciar tratamiento específico destinado a reducir la magnitud del daño cerebral y a evitar ictus recurrentes
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Trastornos CerebrovascularesRESUMEN
Neurocysticercosis is the most common helminthic infection of the CNS but its diagnosis remains difficult. Clinical manifestations are nonspecific, most neuroimaging findings are not pathognomonic, and some serologic tests have low sensitivity and specificity. The authors provide diagnostic criteria for neurocysticercosis based on objective clinical, imaging, immunologic, and epidemiologic data. These include four categories of criteria stratified on the basis of their diagnostic strength, including the following: 1) absolute--histologic demonstration of the parasite from biopsy of a brain or spinal cord lesion, cystic lesions showing the scolex on CT or MRI, and direct visualization of subretinal parasites by funduscopic examination; 2) major--lesions highly suggestive of neurocysticercosis on neuroimaging studies, positive serum enzyme-linked immunoelectrotransfer blot for the detection of anticysticercal antibodies, resolution of intracranial cystic lesions after therapy with albendazole or praziquantel, and spontaneous resolution of small single enhancing lesions; 3) minor--lesions compatible with neurocysticercosis on neuroimaging studies, clinical manifestations suggestive of neurocysticercosis, positive CSF enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detection of anticysticercal antibodies or cysticercal antigens, and cysticercosis outside the CNS; and 4) epidemiologic--evidence of a household contact with Taenia solium infection, individuals coming from or living in an area where cysticercosis is endemic, and history of frequent travel to disease-endemic areas. Interpretation of these criteria permits two degrees of diagnostic certainty: 1) definitive diagnosis, in patients who have one absolute criterion or in those who have two major plus one minor and one epidemiologic criterion; and 2) probable diagnosis, in patients who have one major plus two minor criteria, in those who have one major plus one minor and one epidemiologic criterion, and in those who have three minor plus one epidemiologic criterion.
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Neurocisticercosis/diagnóstico , HumanosRESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: To review the clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and therapy of diseases causing cerebrovascular disease (CVD) in the tropics. DEVELOPMENT: Most prevalent conditions causing CVD in the tropics include: sickle cell disease, Takayasu s arteritis, cysticercosis, infective endocarditis, Chagas disease, viral hemorrhagic fevers, gnathostomiasis, leptospirosis, snake bites, cerebral malaria, puerperal venous thrombosis, and tuberculosis. These conditions may cause cerebral infarcts or hemorrhages, and in most instances are related to either vascular damage secondary to angiitis or hemorrhagic diathesis with bleeding in other organs. In some patients, the severity of the neurological picture makes impossible to identify an specific stroke syndrome and cerebrovascular complications are only recognized on neuroimaging studies or autopsy. CONCLUSIONS: There is a group of tropical infectious and non infectious diseases that may cause cerebral infarcts or hemorrhages. Prompt diagnosis and therapy are needed to reduce the severity or brain damage and to avoid recurrent strokes.
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Infecciones Parasitarias del Sistema Nervioso Central/fisiopatología , Trastornos Cerebrovasculares/etiología , Medicina Tropical , Anemia de Células Falciformes/fisiopatología , Infecciones Bacterianas/fisiopatología , Encéfalo/patología , Circulación Cerebrovascular/fisiología , Trastornos Cerebrovasculares/microbiología , Trastornos Cerebrovasculares/parasitología , Trastornos Cerebrovasculares/fisiopatología , Diagnóstico Diferencial , Fiebres Hemorrágicas Virales/fisiopatología , Humanos , Infección Puerperal/fisiopatología , Venenos de Serpiente/toxicidad , Arteritis de Takayasu/fisiopatología , Clima Tropical , Trombosis de la Vena/fisiopatologíaRESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: Praziquantel has not been considered useful for therapy of subarachnoid cysticercosis. However, recent studies suggest that the introduction of a new regimen of praziquantel therapy, that includes the administration of higher doses of the drug at shorter intervals, may improve pharmacokinetic properties of praziquantel and increase its efficacy in this form of the disease. CLINICAL CASE: A 28 year-old woman presented with a six month history of headache, vomiting, nystagmus, right peripheral facial palsy, and left hemiparesis. Computerized tomography (CT) scan of the head revealed a large cysticercus in the right cerebellopontine angle cistern compressing the brain-stem. She was treated with praziquantel 100 mg/kg in three divided doses at two hours apart. Thereafter, she received three 8 mg doses of intravenous dexamethasone given 6, 24 and 48 hours after the last dose of praziquantel. She improved after therapy, with total resolution of hemiparesis. Control CT showed progressive reduction and size and further disappearance of the cystic lesions three months later. CONCLUSION: This single-dose regimen of praziquantel seems to be effective for therapy of subarachnoid cysticercosis. Further studies with a large number of patients are needed to confirm the efficacy of the drug in this form of the disease.
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Antihelmínticos/administración & dosificación , Enfermedades Cerebelosas/tratamiento farmacológico , Ángulo Pontocerebeloso , Neurocisticercosis/tratamiento farmacológico , Praziquantel/administración & dosificación , Adulto , Enfermedades Cerebelosas/diagnóstico por imagen , Ángulo Pontocerebeloso/diagnóstico por imagen , Femenino , Humanos , Neurocisticercosis/diagnóstico por imagen , Tomografía Computarizada por Rayos XAsunto(s)
Neurocisticercosis/diagnóstico , Neurocisticercosis/epidemiología , Teniasis/diagnóstico , Teniasis/epidemiología , Adolescente , Adulto , Anciano , Niño , Ensayo de Inmunoadsorción Enzimática , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Prevalencia , Índice de Severidad de la EnfermedadRESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: Gliomatosis cerebri is a rare form of malignant neoplastic glial transformation that involves large areas of the central nervous system. OBJECTIVE: To describe clinical manifestations, pathognomonic neuroimaging findings and results of radiotherapy of gliomatosis cerebri. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We review clinical records and neuroimaging studies of two patients with gliomatosis cerebri identified from the files of brain tumor registries of two university hospitals. One patient underwent radiotherapy after surgery. RESULTS: Clinical manifestations and evolution were totally different in both patients despite the fact that both tumors had the same extension on neuroimaging studies. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed the extent of the lesion in both cases, comprising both cerebral hemispheres. Histopathological study revealed G-I and G-II astrocytomas. The patient treated with whole brain irradiation experienced clinical improvement and involution of the brain tumour on neuroimaging studies, and survived 20 months after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical manifestations of gliomatosis cerebri are protean. Therefore, neuroimaging studies and histopathological analysis of brain tissue allow the correct diagnosis. Radiotherapy may improve neurological function in some patients. However, it is necessary to compare the long-term evolution of treated and non-treated patients to evaluate clinical efficacy of radiotherapy.
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Astrocitoma/diagnóstico , Astrocitoma/radioterapia , Neoplasias Encefálicas/diagnóstico , Neoplasias Encefálicas/radioterapia , Encéfalo/patología , Neoplasias Neuroepiteliales/diagnóstico , Neoplasias Neuroepiteliales/radioterapia , Adulto , Encéfalo/fisiopatología , Neoplasias Encefálicas/fisiopatología , Femenino , Humanos , Imagen por Resonancia Magnética , Masculino , Neoplasias Neuroepiteliales/fisiopatología , Resultado del TratamientoRESUMEN
Recent studies suggest that neurocysticercosis may be a risk factor for human cancer. Pathogenetic mechanisms explaining possible oncogenic effects of cysticerci include the following: (a) parasite-induced modulation of the host immune response that may be associated with loss of regulatory mechanisms implicated in the immunological surveillance against cancer; (b) transfer of genetic material from the parasite to the host, causing DNA damage and malignant transformation of host cells, and (c) chronic inflammation with liberation of nitric oxide and inhibition of tumor suppressor genes. Further research is needed to confirm the potential role of cysticercosis in the development of cancer. These studies should determine the presence of cysticercotic factors responsible for the transfer of genetic material and potential mutations in the tumor suppressor genes in proliferating astrocytes surrounding cysticercotic lesions. Additionally, the complex interaction between the immune state of the host with variable cytokine release and the presence of inflammatory cells releasing nitric oxide that cause DNA damage and impair tumor suppressive mechanisms needs to be investigated.
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Neoplasias/etiología , Neurocisticercosis/complicaciones , Animales , Neoplasias Encefálicas/epidemiología , Neoplasias Encefálicas/etiología , Transformación Celular Neoplásica , Comorbilidad , Cysticercus/genética , Cysticercus/inmunología , Cysticercus/patogenicidad , Susceptibilidad a Enfermedades , Genes de Helminto , Glioma/epidemiología , Glioma/etiología , Interacciones Huésped-Parásitos , Humanos , Huésped Inmunocomprometido , Inflamación , Neoplasias/epidemiología , Neoplasias/inmunología , Neurocisticercosis/epidemiología , Factores de RiesgoRESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: There has been an increased number of cases of fungal diseases of the central nervous system (CNS) during the past few years. This paper reviews current literature about these conditions, with emphasis on recent advances on diagnosis and therapy. DEVELOPMENT: While some fungi may cause disease in normal hosts, most of these microorganisms are opportunistics and affect immunocompromised hosts. With the exception of Candida albicans, that is a normal inhabitant of the intestinal tract, most fungi enter the body by inhalation or through skin abrasions. Common fungal diseases include aspergillosis, blastomycosis, candidiasis, coccidioidomycosis, cryptococcosis, histoplasmosis, mucormycosis, paracoccidioidomycosis, and phaeohyphomycosis. In general terms, fungal invasion of the CNS may produce one or more of the following clinical syndromes: subacute or chronic meningitis, encephalitis, parenchymal brain abscesses or granulomas, stroke, or myelopathy. Diagnosis may be difficult on clinical grounds, and data provided by neuroimaging studies or CSF examination is non-specific. Definitive diagnosis usually rest on the demonstration of the causal agent on body fluids or tissue samples. Early administration of amphotericin B, associated or not with the new azoles, is indicated to arrest the often fatal course of these conditions. CONCLUSIONS: Formerly considered rare diseases, the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) epidemic and the widespread use of corticosteroids and cytotoxic agents, have caused an increase in the prevalence of CNS mycosis. Development of potent antimycotic drugs have improved the prognosis of fungal diseases of the CNS. However, due to diagnostic delays or the presence of debilitating conditions, some patients still have torpid clinical courses despite proper therapy.
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Infecciones Fúngicas del Sistema Nervioso Central , Infecciones Fúngicas del Sistema Nervioso Central/clasificación , Infecciones Fúngicas del Sistema Nervioso Central/diagnóstico , Infecciones Fúngicas del Sistema Nervioso Central/tratamiento farmacológico , HumanosRESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: This paper review current literature about neurocysticercosis with emphasis on recent advances on diagnosis and therapy. DEVELOPMENT: Cysticercosis is the most common parasitic disease of the nervous system. The disease occurs when humans become the intermediate host in the life cycle of Taenia solium by ingesting its eggs from contaminated food. Endemic in developing countries of Latin America, Asia and Africa, massive immigration of people to industrialized nations caused a recent increase in the number of patients with cysticercosis in the United States of America and in some European countries. Neurocysticercosis is a pleomorphic disease due to individual differences in the number, size, and location of the parasites within the nervous system as well as to differences in the severity of the host's immune reaction against the parasite. Epilepsy, focal neurological signs, and intracranial hypertension are the most common clinical manifestations of neurocysticercosis. Since the diagnosis is not possible on clinical grounds, it is necessary the practice of complementary exams in every suspected case. Neuroimaging studies (CT or MRI) usually permit the diagnosis as they show objective evidence of the parasites and the inflammatory changes induced in the surrounding nervous tissue. Immunological tests developed to detect anticysticercal antibodies in serum or CSF present many problems inherent to the lack of specificity or sensibility; therefore, they should not be used by themselves to confirm or exclude the disease. Two drugs, albendazole and praziquantel, have been used with success to destroy most intracranial parasites; however, surgery still play a role in the management of some forms of the disease, particularly hydrocephalus and intraventricular cysts. CONCLUSIONS: Development of modern diagnostic tests and introduction of potent cestocidal drugs have increased our knowledge on neurocysticercosis and have improved its prognosis. Nevertheless, some patients still have torpid clinical courses despite proper therapy.