Abstract
BACKGROUND: Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is a central nervous system infection that occurs by ingesting the larval form of the parasite, Taenia solium. It is the most common parasitic disease of the central nervous system in developing countries, and the most common cause of acquired epilepsy. Even though seizures are the most common presenting symptom, NCC can present with many manifestations. METHODS: This is a retrospective chart-review cohort study. Patients referred to the Neurology Clinic at Smith Clinic in Houston from January 2013 to December 2015 for a diagnosis of headache and/or seizure were evaluated. The prevalence of NCC was determined, as well as epidemiological characteristics for those referred to the clinic and those with NCC. For patients with a diagnosis of NCC, further clinical data and zip codes were abstracted. RESULTS: A total of 16,050 visits were documented at the neurology clinic from January 2013 to December 2015. Of those, 9,317 of those visits were attributed to headache and/or seizure and included a total of 3,158 patients. A total of 33 patients had a diagnosis of NCC by ICD code alone, and of those, 29 also had a diagnosis of headache and/or seizure. All NCC patients were Hispanic/Latino, and the overall prevalence of NCC among those with a headache and/or seizure diagnosis was 0.92%. The prevalence among those with headaches was 0.25% and those with seizures was 1.37%. Based on ArcMap software and the zip codes of those diagnosed with NCC, most cases appear in the south-central area of the city. CONCLUSION: NCC has now spread to the developed world mainly due to increased migration, although sporadic cases of local transmission have also been documented. Our data could help develop a preliminary but current epidemiological profile of NCC in Houston and determine if there are areas of high prevalence within certain communities. DISCLOSURES: All authors: No reported disclosures.