A man, 52, from Florida, who went to doctors because of ongoing severe headaches, was found to have a brain parasite.
The person, whose identity is not disclosed, looked for medical help as his constant headaches got worse over four months, and his usual treatments did not work anymore.
On Friday, Dailymail reported that scans showed several cysts and inflammation in his brain, caused by a pork tapeworm laying eggs, probably caught from eating undercooked bacon.
Even though he had not traveled abroad or eaten raw foods, the patient acquired neurocysticercosis, a parasite infection impacting different body parts, including the brain.
The doctors treating him observed that his habit of eating undercooked bacon might have led to the infection.
The physicians wrote, “Our patient’s lifelong preference for soft bacon may have led to instances of undercooked bacon consumption.”
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) suggests that there are between 1,320 and 5,050 cases of neurocysticercosis every year in the US.
Neurocysticercosis commonly happens by ingesting tapeworm eggs from polluted feces, self-infection, or contact with a person with a tapeworm.
While more common in rural areas of developing countries, such infections are uncommon in countries like the US or UK.
Symptoms vary from confusion and balance problems to seizures, usually appearing months or years after infection.
The patient was given corticosteroids to reduce brain swelling, along with albendazole and praziquantel to get rid of the parasite.
Afterwards, his cysts disappeared, and his migraines improved. This particular case was detailed in the American Journal of Case Reports.
