Use of ivermectin in neurocysticercosis: A case report

Abstract

Objective: Rare disease Background: Neurocysticercosis is a Taenia solium infection which utilizes the tapeworm as a vector and humans as a definitive host and causes development of cystic lesions in the central nervous system. The current established medical therapy is albendazole with praziquantel as a secondary agent, but results can be mixed depending on each patient and their form of neurocysticercosis. Case Report: We present a case pertaining to a young female patient diagnosed with single parenchymal neurocysticercosis based on clinical and diagnostic findings. This case was unique in the sense that ivermectin, another antiparasitic agent, was used as monotherapy with significant improvement in the patient’s clinical presentation and radiological findings. Conclusions: Despite current guidelines recommending use of albendazole with or without praziquantel for neurocysticercosis, our case (as well as 4 other cases documented in the recent past) suggest a possible use of ivermectin as potential therapy for neurocysticercosis. We recommend continued research regarding other cases of ivermectin use in similar patients and even comparison studies with albendazole with or without praziquantel in terms of efficacy and side effects in order to better treat this international endemic.