A 52-year-old man from Florida, who had been experiencing severe migraines for four months, was found to have a tapeworm infestation in his brain due to consuming undercooked bacon. Despite a lifelong preference for soft bacon, the issue arose not just from his dietary habits but from the bacon having gone bad. This led to neurocysticercosis, a condition where parasites lay eggs that infect various body parts, a rare occurrence in the United States with public health implications. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) highlights the importance of handwashing to prevent spreading the parasite, especially through food, noting that this preventable ailment still hospitalizes about 1,000 Americans each year. The patient, who developed cysts in his brain from the tapeworm eggs, showed improvement after two weeks of treatment with the deworming drug albendazole. Given that 80% of such cases lead to seizures, medical professionals are advised to thoroughly investigate patients presenting changes in migraine patterns.
Reference: https://nypost.com/2024/03/08/lifestyle/tapeworm-in-brain-caused-by-undercooked-bacon/
