Cysticerocosis

Cysticercosis is a parasitic infection caused by the larval form of the pork tapeworm, "Taenia solium". Sorvillo FJ, DeGiorgio C, Waterman SH. Deaths from cysticercosis, United States. Emerg Infect Dis [serial on the Internet] . 2007 Feb [February 7, 2007] . Available from http://www.cdc.gov/EID/content/13/2/230.htm]

When humans consume pork containing cysticerci, they can attach to the small intestine and develop into an adult tapeworm. When, however, humans ingest the parasite in the form of larvae, from contaminated food or water, the larvae can invade the central nervous system causing neurologic disorders. This can ultimately lead to death.

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