Has anyone ever heard of an infection on the brain caused by trichuriasis?

my granda was first diagnosed with alzheimer's but further tests revieled she has an egg on her brain by those things?
please explain if possible, she is another country so I don't have much info

Yes I have heard of it. It is a very rare thing, mostly due to the fact that Americans in general have good living conditions. The infection is from the bacteria that resides on the egg itself. The egg was probably laid through her ear while she slept, or if she is debilitated in some way, maybe even without her knowing it while awake. If you can get her back here it would be best for treatment. Some high grade antibiotics are certainly in order and maybe more invasive measures if the egg happens to survive the anti-body attack.

Larvae of the pork round worm Trichinella spiralis migrate throughout the body and occassionally to the brain. They encyst and calcify in the human body.

Trichuriasis is a parasitic disease caused by infection of the large intestine by a parasite whipworm (Trichuris trichiura).

Trichuriasis is common worldwide (in particular among countries with warm, humid climates) and primarily affects children, who may become infected if they ingest soil contaminated with whipworm eggs. The ingested eggs hatch, and the whipworm embeds in the wall of the large intestine (cecum, colon, rectum).

The main risk factor for infection is ingestion of eggs from soil contaminated with feces. Some outbreaks have been traced to contaminated vegetables (due to presumed soil contamination).

The development of symptoms depends on the burden of worms/eggs. Light infestations may lead to few or no symptoms. Heavy infestations may result in bloody diarrhea, iron deficiency anemia and on occasion, rectal prolapse.

See more at Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trichuriasi... or from the Medical Dictionary at http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art....

I've heard of it. It's one of those things you are more likely to see on "House" than in US practice.

Wikipedia says that" Trichuriasis is a parasitic disease caused by infection of the large intestine by a parasite whipworm (Trichuris trichiura).... it is
common worldwide (in particular among countries with warm, humid climates) and primarily affects children, who may become infected if they ingest soil contaminated with whipworm eggs. "
It says in article that they can spred through bloodstream, so I could see how eggs could end up in the brain/
Geez! How terrible for her!!! Good luck to her & you..

P.S. It says that about 800 million people are affected by this problem, but it is usually in third world countries/ places where hand washing & sanitation is at a minimum. Speads in contaminated food, soil, feces, unwashed hands & is highly communiciable.

Trichuiriasis is a human disease caused by a parasitic whipworm called Trichuris trichiura. It is normally characterised by abdominal painand diarrhea The parasote is primarily found in the tropics and sub-tropicswhere the climate is warm and moist. the eggs incubate in such soil conditions. Generally, clinically significant infections are not common in developed countries. But third world countries are another matter. The parasite eggs hatch in the small intestine and usually takes up human residence in the large intestine. Eggs pass through it to the colon and then to faeces. The eggs incubate 2 to 3 weels in the soil, and are picked up and end up in people through ingestion. Unsanitary food handling and cleanliness aid transmission and infection. The patient is usually treated with the drug mebendazole 300 m.g. taken twice daily for 3 days. I would perscribe it for longer than tha for you grandfather. I am not sure if the medication crosses the blood brain barrier. If not there will be problems. A tropical medicine specialist, or parasitologist-M.D. should be consulted as soon as possible.
This organiism is not the parasite that causes trichinosis. (a Trichina spp. pest).
Doc. Dan.