Fig 3: Frontal CXR at 4 months follow up, showing complete resolution of
the pleural effusion
This is one of the first reported cases of isolated pulmonary
cysticercosis in a child. Even in the adult population, pulmonary
cysticercosis has usually been reported as part of disseminated disease,
with only four cases of isolated pulmonary cysticercosis reported in
over 20 years(1). Underdiagnosis of pulmonary disease may be a concern,
as it may be difficult to definitively diagnose disease; in our case,
definitive diagnosis was possible with histology. However, in South
Africa and other LMICs, cysticercosis in the form of neurocysticercosis
presenting as epilepsy, is common, and has been recognized as a health
problem for many years(4, 5).
As a result, the World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines for the
surveillance, prevention and control of cysticercosis, recommend
deworming of all children from one year up to 12 years of age every six
months in endemic areas(6)
The detection of cysticercosis is a public health concern, as it implies
that preventative measures and disease control programs are inadequate .
Health care professionals should ensure that every child they come in
contact with, is up to date with the deworming program, especially in
endemic countries(6)
REFERENCES
1. Chen Y, Wang P, Ding L. Two cases of pulmonary cysticercosis
manifesting as pleural effusion: case report and literature review. J
Thorac Dis. 2017;9(8):E677-E81.
2. Gupta N, Meena M, Harish S, Patil CB, Kewlani JP. A rare case of
pulmonary cysticercosis manifesting as lung cavity with pleural
effusion. Lung India. 2015;32(5):515-7.
3. Salaria M PV, Kochar S, & Mehta S. Eosinophilia, Pleural Effussion
and Cysticercosis- Unknown association. Indian Pediatrics.
2001(38):671-4.
4. Phiri IK, Ngowi H, Afonso S, Matenga E, Boa M, Mukaratirwa S, et al.
The emergence of Taenia solium cysticercosis in Eastern and Southern
Africa as a serious agricultural problem and public health risk. Acta
Tropica. 2003;87(1):13-23.
5. Krecek RC, Mohammed H, Michael LM, Schantz PM, Ntanjana L, Morey L,
et al. Risk factors of porcine cysticercosis in the Eastern Cape
Province, South Africa. PLoS One. 2012;7(5):e37718.
6. Organization WH. WHO/FAO/OIE guidelines for the surveillance,
prevention and control of taeniosis/cysticercosis: Paris: World
Organisation for Animal Health; 2005.