Man’s Habit of Eating “Lightly Cooked” Bacon Likely Led to Tapeworm Infection, Doctors Say
A Florida man in his early 50s experienced severe migraines on a weekly basis for four months. When medications failed to alleviate the pain, doctors discovered that he had a parasitic infection in his brain. According to a case report published in the American Journal of Case Reports, the patient had no history of high-risk travel but had recently visited the Bahamas two years prior.
It was during the investigation of the patient’s diet that doctors made a disturbing discovery. The man admitted to regularly consuming lightly cooked, non-crispy bacon throughout his life. This habit of eating undercooked bacon likely led to his infection with neurocysticercosis, a condition caused by a pork tapeworm.
The report states that cases of neurocysticercosis in the United States are extremely rare, especially when linked to the consumption of infected pork. However, the patient’s history of eating undercooked bacon suggests a theoretical risk factor for the infection.
Neurocysticercosis is the most common parasitic brain infection and a leading cause of epilepsy in the developing world. It is prevalent in Latin America, India, Africa, and China. The infection occurs when people consume undercooked food, contaminated water, or practice poor hygiene.
Interestingly, neurocysticercosis is virtually nonexistent in areas that have banned pork consumption, highlighting the strong connection between swine and the disease. Doctors believe that the patient contracted the tapeworm through “autoinfection.” This occurs when someone ingests undercooked bacon containing larval cysts and accidentally consumes the tapeworm eggs after improper handwashing.
The patient received antiparasitic and anti-inflammatory medications as treatment. The case report does not mention whether his symptoms improved after treatment. Symptoms of neurocysticercosis include seizures, headaches, confusion, difficulty with balance, and excess fluid around the brain. Treatment options vary, including medications to prevent seizures, antiparasitic drugs, and surgery to remove cysts or redirect fluid in the brain.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of fully cooking pork and practicing good hygiene to avoid potentially severe infections like neurocysticercosis.
