Abstract

José Augusto Camargo* and Reinaldo José Gianini

ABSTRACT

Neurocysticercosis is a parasitic disease that affects the central nervous system. Its main clinical manifestation are seizures. The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of neurocysticercosis and its epidemiological factors in epileptic patients seen in the emergency department of the municipality of Piedade, São Paulo. A total of 136 patients with a history of seizures observed in the Municipal Emergency Department of Piedade/SP were evaluated. There were 24 confirmed cases of neurocysticercosis among the 136 patients with seizures, corresponding to a prevalence of 17.65%. The main associated factors were age older than 60 years (PR=4.9; p=0.008), open sewer (PR=8.14; p=0.002), consumption of unwashed fruits or vegetables (PR=9.9; p=0.004), and type of drinking water source [urban untreated, urban treated but unfiltered, and rural] (PR=11.4; p=0.048). An important prevalence of neurocysticercosis was observed in the sample studied. Measures raising awareness of the disease in the population and preventive strategies must be taken by the competent authorities.