Subarachnoidal Neurocysticercosis non-responsive to cysticidal drugs: a case series

Taenia solium is a parasite which larvae (cysticercus) may localize in the central nervous system of humans causing neurocysticercosis (NC). Most NC cases occur with little or no neurological symptoms but others may present a variety of non-specific mild clinical symptoms (headache, partial seizures) or severe neurological syndromes with intracraneal hypertension and generalized seizures [1].

The introduction of cysticidal drugs, albendazole (ABZ) and praziquantel (PZQ), for the treatment of NC have dramatically improved its prognosis [2]. In Mexico, ABZ is becoming the drug of choice due to its low costs and availability. Parasite localization is one of the main factors involved in the success of the treatment. When cysticerci are lodged in the parenchyma, the use of these drugs allows generally a prompt radiological and clinical improvement in most of the patients although only a modest effect is reported in some cases [3, 4]. When the parasites are located in the subarachnoid basal cisterns (SA-NC), the prognosis is more uncertain. Several case series have reported the effectiveness of these drugs in SA-NC treatment [5‐7]. However, in our experience and that of others [4], it is a frequent finding that the parasites persist after treatment, even when a high dose of ABZ has been used [8].

In this report, six cases NC-SA patients who are non-respondent to conventional pharmacological treatment and a brief review of literature are described.

Patient A (Figure 1, A0 to 1A3). A 46-year-old man with one year history of increasing incapacitating frontal headache. Upon admission, bilateral papilledema and upward gaze paralysis were shown. Multiple vesicular cysticerci located in opto-chiasmatic and perimensencephalic cisterns as well as basal meningeal enhancement were observed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Increased cellularity (89 cells/mm3) and anti-cysticercal antibodies (Abs) determined by ELISA were detected in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). During one year, the patient received two cycles of ABZ (30 mg/kg/day) and one course of PZQ (50 mg/kg), for eight days, associated to corticosteroids. In the ninth month, he required a ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) due to hydrocephaly. In all of MRIs, which were performed four months after each treatment cycle, most of the vesicular parasites persisted.

Patient B (Figure 1, B0 to 1B3). A 60 year old man with chronic headache. Nine months before hospital admission, headache frequency increased and lower limb motor dysfunction appeared. Neurological examination revealed only papilledema. On MRI, vesicular subarachnoidal NC in posterior fossa was observed. CSF analysis showed an inflammatory profile with abundant lymphocytes and eosinophils. During the year following the diagnosis, he received two courses of ABZ at 30 mg/kg/day during 8 days and one course of ABZ at the same dose, associated with PZQ at 50 mg/kg plus corticosteroids. However, radiological evidence of vesicular parasites was still observed and CSF inflammatory profile and clinical complaints persisted.

Patient C (Figure 1, C0 to 1C5). A 29-year old man with new onset generalized seizures. CT scan showed vesicular NC and he received ABZ plus steroids in the United States of America. Post treatment, progressive motor dysphasia, right sided weakness and intracranial hypertension signs appeared. The patient returned to Mexico. MRI showed vesicular racemose cysticercosis on left Sylvian fissure with displacement of midline anatomical structures. A second ABZ cycle was administered and although the racemose cyst evinced a substantial reduction, other SA vesicular parasites appeared. During two years this patient received four other courses of ABZ (30 mg/kg/day during eight days) and two combined courses of ABZ and PZQ. These treatments were delivered at the same doses as with the other patients and showed no evidence of parasite eradication.

Patient D (Figure 1, D4 to 1D7). A 65-year-old woman with vomiting, papilledema, gait disturbances, and urinary incontinency. The patient had a 6-year history of chronic headache. On admission, CT scan showed multiple vesicular parasites in the Sylvian fissure with mass effect. A surgical removal of parasites located in the right Sylvian fissure and opto-chiasmatic cistern was performed. Three months after surgical procedure, a CT scan showed persistence of subarachnoid vesicular parasites in the chiasma and pontocerebellar cistern. CSF analysis revealed an inflammatory profile (20 cells/mm³) with presence of anti-cysticercal Abs. During four years, patient completed seven courses of ABZ (30 mg/kg/day during 8 days) associated to corticosteroids without complete clinical and radiological improvement.

Patient E (Figure 2, E3 to 2E7). A 40-year old man with a one-year-history of increasing headache, in frequency and intensity, associated with sporadic vomiting and generalized seizures. Papilledema and left slight motor weakness were observed on neurological examinations. A CT scan revealed a vesicular racemose cysticercus on the right Sylvian fissure, upon which surgical excision of parasites was performed. Diagnosis of vesicular cysticerci was confirmed by histopathology. Post-treatment, the patient showed clinical improvement, but six months later, motor deficit reappeared. MRI showed recurrence of parasites at the same location and CSF was inflammatory. During the five years following the first surgery, the parasites did not disappear in spite of the administration of seven courses of ABZ and one combined course of ABZ and PZQ with corticosteroids. Clinically, the patient presents memory loss and corticosteroids side-effects as hyperglycemia and myopathy.

Patient F (Figure 2, F2 to 2F6). A 26-year old man with new onset partial motor epilepsy. His CT scan showed perimesencephalic vesicular parasites and CSF was inflammatory (75 cells/mm³) with specific anticysticercal Abs. During the following five years, the patient received 7 courses of ABZ (30 mg/kg/day during eight days with corticosteroids) and he required the placement of a VPS for hydrocephalus during the fourth year. In spite of the received treatment, vesicular parasites persisted on the last MRI, and CSF was still inflammatory.

This article reports six SA-NC patients in whom parasites relapsed despite repetitive administration of cysticidal treatment. Other non-responsive NC cases have been previously published (Table 1, [9‐12]) but including patients that differ in the clinical picture, the parasite localization and cysticidal doses used. Even though the causes of the parasite's persistence, despite the ABZ treatment, are still unknown, multiple host and parasite factors may be involved. The possibility that the cysticidal drugs differentially affect the parasites according to their developmental stage (radiologically not- definable) could be a factor involved in the non-response observed. It is also possible that the lesser penetration of ABZ in the subarachnoidal space could participate in the SA-NC resistance. Another factor involved in this phenomenon could be related to the variability in plasma and CSF ABZ sulphoxide levels among patients due to individual differences in bioavailability [2]. The high levels of corticosteroids used to prevent complications due to severe CSF inflammation may also turn-off key immunological components crucial for the parasite destruction. Finally, although resistance of cysticerci to ABZ in humans has never been reported, it may occur as it has been observed in other related parasites [13‐15].

Whatever are the reasons, this scenario clearly points out to the relevance of developing new therapeutic strategies. One approach could be the elaboration of new albendazole formulations in order to improve its bioavailability and therapeutic efficacy [16]. Another approach is the search of new pharmacological alternatives as ivermectine, which seems to destroy cysticerci in patients resistant to cysticercidal drugs [11]. Nitazoxanide and tizoxanide combined with ABZ have also shown promising results albeit in vitro and using another related cestode [17].

Finally, although these non-respondent cases are not the most frequent, their severity should encourage controlled studies to evaluate new forms of medical intervention and management. In particular, fuller understanding of the key elements that participate in controlling the inflammatory response would greatly help in devising new, potent and less harmful ways to prevent severe disease.

Written informed consent was obtained from the patients for publication of these cases report and any accompanying images. A copy of the written consents is available for review by the Editor-in-Chief of this journal.