Tapeworm found in brain of man who ate ``undercooked bacon'', authorities recommend baking until crispy
Pork is one of the foods that must be thoroughly heated, but bacon is said to be
American Journal of Case Reports | Neurocysticercosis Presenting as Migraine in the United States - Article abstract #943133
https://amjcaserep.com/abstract/index/idArt/943133
Parasitic worms found in man's brain after he likely ate undercooked bacon | Live Science
https://www.livescience.com/health/viruses-infections-disease/parasitic-worms-found-in-mans-brain-after-he-likely-ate-undercooked-bacon
A 52-year-old man living in the United States was infected with tapeworms in his brain due to eating bacon. This man had a history of migraine headaches, but the frequency and severity of his headaches suddenly increased and his usual treatments were no longer effective, so he sought medical attention.
When the doctor performed a CT scan of the man's brain, it was discovered that there were cysts in various locations in the brain. After being rushed to the hospital and having a more detailed scan with a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine, the man was diagnosed with neurocysticercosis, a disease caused by tapeworms in the brain.
The man was infected with a tapeworm that uses pigs as an intermediate host, and the main route of infection is through undercooked pork or food and drink contaminated with the feces of a person infected with the tapeworm. Ingestion of tapeworm eggs or larvae can cause tapeworm larvae to form cysts in the intestines
Cysticercosis is common in countries where pigs are the main food source and in areas with poor sanitary conditions, but due to increased international travel and immigration, it is becoming more common in developed countries such as the United States.
However, this man had not recently traveled or visited a farm, lived in a modern home, and had no history of significant tapeworm exposure.
On the other hand, men said that they have a habit of eating ``soft bacon'' that is not cooked through. Doctors concluded that the man first developed tapeworm disease by eating bacon, and then developed neurocysticercosis by not washing his hands properly in the bathroom.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends heating pork to at least 145 degrees Fahrenheit (approximately 63 degrees Celsius). Bacon can be pink even when cooked due to the hardening agent, so it's difficult to tell the temperature, but the US Department of Agriculture says, ``If it's cooked until crispy, it should have reached a safe temperature.'' ”.
Doctors wrote in a paper that a man with a tapeworm found in his brain was treated successfully with anti-parasitic drugs to exterminate the parasites and anti-inflammatory drugs, and his headaches improved.
Doctors also noted that ``neurocysticercosis is extremely rare outside of classic exposure or travel, and such cases were thought to be non-existent in the United States.'' This case demonstrates that neurocysticercosis should be suspected even in the absence of obvious risk factors when the symptoms of a preexisting neuropathological disease change or require a change in therapeutic management. ” concluded.
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