Research Proposal

Neurocysticercosis in the Philippines: A qualitative study investigating the epidemiological prevalence of human epilepsy caused by Taenia solium found in local hospitals.

Background and Significance Neurocysticercosis is the major cause of adult-onset epilepsy in the developing world and is caused by infection of the central nervous system by the larvae of Taenia solium(brutto). The Philippines is considered an endemic area for cysticercosis because cases in both humans and pigs have been reported, however there is still limited epidemiologic information (Jin-Mei Xu). The T. solium life cycle includes the pig as an intermediate host, having larval cysts (Cysticercus cellulosae), and the human as the definitive host, developing adult tapeworms (taeniasis) after consumption of viable cysts. Humans also act as intermediate hosts (cysticercosis) when they consume tapeworm eggs, which then may lead to neurocysticercosis. This is the term used when the human brain is infected with T. solium cysts, leading to epilepsy (Serpa JA). Person-to-person transmission from a subclinically infected family member are probably the most common source of infective eggs, with infected pigs disseminating the infection(Sciutto). Human cysticercosis is caused by infection with the larvae (cysticerci) of Taenia solium, a cestode (tapeworm) transmitted among humans and between humans and pigs. Humans acquire tapeworm infection from eating raw or undercooked pork meat containing T. solium cysticerci. When ingested, cysticerci are activated by stomach acid, pass into the duodenum, and develop into adult tapeworms. The tapeworm body consists of many proglottids, each containing approximately 50,00060,000 eggs. Both humans and pigs can develop cysticercosis if they ingest T. solium eggs passed in human stool directly, or from consumption of food or water contaminated with eggs (fecal-oral transmission). Human cysticercosis can also occur by autoinoculation or reverse peristalsis of eggs in individuals withT. solium tapeworms(R. kraft). The significance of this study is to determine whether the most common cause of epilepsy in the local hospitals of the Philippines are associated with Taenia solium, with the knowledge of the occurrence of the disease by a parasite is found positive and prevalent, future researches could be made in order to eradicate and inform the people in preventing the Taenia solium to be acquired.

Statement of the Problem Only a few current researches about the occurrence of Taenia solium can be found in the Philippines. With the knowledge of epilepsy being able to be caused by a parasite, it would be very significant to the country and to the advancement of the studies about T. solium when there is a research which could prove that there might be a

Main Objective and Specific Aims

Methodology

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