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
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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.