A 35-year-old man presents with seizures. MRI shows multiple ring-enhancing lesions in the brain parenchyma at the gray-white junction, some with a visible 'dot' in the center (scolex sign). He is from an endemic region. What is the causative organism?

• A Taenia saginata
• B Toxoplasma gondii
• C Echinococcus granulosus
• D Taenia solium ✓

Explanation

This describes neurocysticercosis, the leading cause of acquired epilepsy in endemic regions including India. It is caused by ingestion of eggs of Taenia solium (pork tapeworm), not the adult worm. The scolex within the cyst is pathognomonic. Taenia saginata (beef tapeworm) does not cause cysticercosis. Echinococcus causes hydatid cysts (unilocular, no scolex). Toxoplasma causes ring-enhancing lesions in immunocompromised patients but lacks the scolex.

Reference: Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease, 10th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.