March 15th, 2010 | 
Author: This girl developed generalized seizures. A CAT scan revealed a single brain lesion consistent with a tumor. Biopsy of the lesion showed a cysticerus. The patient lived in South Carolina and had never traveled outside the state. What parasite caused her disease? How is the disease transmitted? How might it be prevented?
It’s a question for my college-level Introduction to Microbiology Course under the category for "Critical Thinking." Thanks in advance to any responses.
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Just because she never traveled outside the state, doesn’t mean that people and animals she came in contact with have the same history. Parasites are transmitted a lot easier than some people realize.
To me, the critical thinking ought to be on what to do for the poor girl to get rid of the parasite so she can heal. Even if you can’t identify what kind or the cause of the parasite, you can still treat her with a thorough parasite cleanse that will help kill of the cause of her symptoms.
Hmmm. Now, that’s a thought.
CNS infections (Non-epileptic seizures)
AIDS, brain abscess, falciparum malaria, meningitis, neurocysticercosis, neurosyphilis, rabies, toxoplasmosis, viral encephalitis.