National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center, a program of the National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences

Cysticercosis


Other Names:
Taeniasis; Neurocysticercosis; Submacular cysticercosis
Categories:
Cysticercosis is an infection caused by the pork tapeworm, Taenia solium. The condition develops when tapeworm eggs, which can be found in contaminated food, enter the body and form cysticeri (cysts). In most cases, the worms stay in the muscles and do not cause symptoms. However, symptoms may be present when the infection is found in the brain, eyes, heart or spine. Although rare in the United States, cysticercosis is common in many developing countries. Treatment may include medications to kill the parasites and powerful anti-inflammatory medications (steroids) to reduce swelling. In severe cases, surgery may be needed to remove the infected area.[1][2]
Last updated: 3/20/2017

FDA-Approved Treatments

The medication(s) listed below have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as orphan products for treatment of this condition. Learn more orphan products.

Research helps us better understand diseases and can lead to advances in diagnosis and treatment. This section provides resources to help you learn about medical research and ways to get involved.

Clinical Research Resources

  • ClinicalTrials.gov lists trials that are related to Cysticercosis. Click on the link to go to ClinicalTrials.gov to read descriptions of these studies.

    Please note: Studies listed on the ClinicalTrials.gov website are listed for informational purposes only; being listed does not reflect an endorsement by GARD or the NIH. We strongly recommend that you talk with a trusted healthcare provider before choosing to participate in any clinical study.

These resources provide more information about this condition or associated symptoms. The in-depth resources contain medical and scientific language that may be hard to understand. You may want to review these resources with a medical professional.

Where to Start

  • You can obtain information on this topic from the https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/cysticercosis/ (CDC). The CDC is recognized as the lead federal agency for developing and applying disease prevention and control, environmental health, and health promotion and education activities designed to improve the health of the people of the United States.
  • MedlinePlus was designed by the National Library of Medicine to help you research your health questions, and it provides more information about this topic.
  • The Merck Manuals Online Medical Library provides information on this condition for patients and caregivers. 
  • The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) has a report for patients and families about this condition. NORD is a patient advocacy organization for individuals with rare diseases and the organizations that serve them.
  • The World Health Organization (WHO) produces guidelines and standards, helps countries to address public health issues, and supports and promotes health research. The WHO has developed a fact sheet on this condition. 

In-Depth Information

  • Medscape Reference provides information on this topic. You may need to register to view the medical textbook, but registration is free.
  • The Monarch Initiative brings together data about this condition from humans and other species to help physicians and biomedical researchers. Monarch’s tools are designed to make it easier to compare the signs and symptoms (phenotypes) of different diseases and discover common features. This initiative is a collaboration between several academic institutions across the world and is funded by the National Institutes of Health. Visit the website to explore the biology of this condition.
  • PubMed is a searchable database of medical literature and lists journal articles that discuss Cysticercosis. Click on the link to view a sample search on this topic.

Questions sent to GARD may be posted here if the information could be helpful to others. We remove all identifying information when posting a question to protect your privacy. If you do not want your question posted, please let us know. Submit a new question

  • My son presented with a sudden onset of partial complex seizures and a friend provided us with information about neurocysticercosis. My son has not yet been tested, but I would like to know if this disease has an affect on a person's appetite or weight? See answer


  1. Cysticercosis. MedlinePlus. March 2017; https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000627.htm.
  2. Mossammat M Mansur, MD, MBBS. Cysticercosis. Medscape Reference. October 2015; http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/215589-overview.