Parasitic infections of the central nervous system are much more common than suspected,
although most infections are asymptomatic. For example, parasites like the ubiquitous
protozoa Toxoplasma gondii or the nematode larvae Toxocara canis infect significant proportions of the human population. Other parasitic infections
such as malaria and neurocysticercosis are widespread in developing countries and
become major causes of neurological morbidity in these regions as well in immigrants
and travelers. This article reviews parasitic pathogens causing neurological morbidity
and mortality, including an extensive list of less common parasitic infections of
the human nervous system.
Keywords
parasitic infections - nervous system - malaria - cysticercosis - toxoplasmosis -
toxocariasis
