Parasitic infection of the spine is a rare condition. The most common parasites affecting the spinal canal include cysticercosis, schistosomiasis, toxoplasmosis and echinococcal disease, and are much more frequent in the developing countries of Asia and Africa [8].
The most common source of spinal infections is a bacterium called staphylococcus aureus, followed by Escherichia coli. Spinal infections may occur after a urological procedure, because the veins in the lower spine come up through the pelvis. The most common area of the spine affected is the lumbar region.
The signs of a parasite are often caused by the toxins that it releases into the human bloodstream. Here are the most common symptoms: Unexplained constipation, diarrhea, gas, bloating, nausea or other symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome. You traveled internationally and got diarrhea on your trip.
Patients can also present with a prolonged onset of intermittent back pain until the diagnosis [5]. Spinal cord schistosomiasis can mimic spinal cord tumor presentation and necessitate biopsy as in our case and as reported in the literature [6].
Patients may present with typical symptoms such as back pain, numbness, weakness, or bowel/bladder incontinence, leading the clinician to order relevant imaging of the CNS. In cases of parasitic infec- tion, there is seldom a diagnosis made even after imaging identifies the underlying lesion.
Within 1-2 months of infection, symptoms may develop including fever, chills, cough, and muscle aches. Without treatment, schistosomiasis can persist for years. Signs and symptoms of chronic schistosomiasis include: abdominal pain, enlarged liver, blood in the stool or blood in the urine, and problems passing urine.
Eat more raw garlic, pumpkin seeds, pomegranates, beets, and carrots, all of which have been used traditionally to kill parasites. In one study, researchers found that a mixture of honey and papaya seeds cleared stools of parasites in 23 out of 30 subjects. Drink a lot of water to help flush out your system.
Some parasitic infections disappear on their own, especially if your immune system is healthy and you eat a balanced diet. For parasites that don't go away on their own, your doctor will generally prescribe oral medication. This treatment is generally effective and proven to work.
Joint pain — there's a known link between parasite infections and arthritis, which causes joint pain and swelling. Bruxism — the clenching and grinding of teeth, is a little known symptom of parasites that's most common among children.
Endoscopy/Colonoscopy
Endoscopy is used to find parasites that cause diarrhea, loose or watery stools, cramping, flatulence (gas) and other abdominal illness. This test is used when stool exams do not reveal the cause of your diarrhea.
Giardia is arguably the most common parasite infection of humans worldwide, and the second most common in the United States after pin-worm.
Common global water-related diseases caused by parasites include Guinea worm, schistosomiasis, amebiasis, cryptosporidiosis (Crypto), and giardiasis. People become infected with these diseases when they swallow or have contact with water that has been contaminated by certain parasites.
What many people do not realize is that bowel problems are also related to lower back pain. The truth is that bowel problems and lower back pain are inextricably linked. This is because the nerves of both the back and the abdominal area run through the lower part of the spine.
Blood and tissue cancers such as multiple myeloma, lymphoma, and melanoma can all cause lower back pain.
This systematic review found moderate evidence to indicate low virulent bacteria have a role in low back pain with disc herniation and moderate evidence for a relationship between bacteria and Modic Type 1 change associated with disc herniation.
However, parasitic infections still occur in the United States, and in some cases, affect millions of people. Often they can go unnoticed, with few symptoms. But many times these infections cause serious illnesses, including seizures, blindness, heart failure, and even death.
Should You Be Worried? “While it is widely acknowledged that infections with some parasites can cause significant complications, not all parasites are cause for concern. Some symptoms caused by parasites can clear up on their own, and individuals with a healthy immune system may not experience any symptoms.
You can get tapeworms from food or water that's contaminated with worms or eggs. If you swallow tapeworms, they'll grow up in your intestines. They can live in a person for 30 years.
The finding that liquid hand soap efficiently destroys all three parasites suggests that soap solutions can be used as first aid measure to clean skin areas accidentally contaminated with the pathogens.
Antiparasitic drugs are a group of medications used in the management and treatment of infections by parasites, including protozoa, helminths, and ectoparasites. Antiparasitic drugs include several classes of drugs that cover a broad range of diseases caused by parasites.
Schistosomiasis is diagnosed through the detection of parasite eggs in stool or urine specimens. Antibodies and/or antigens detected in blood or urine samples are also indications of infection.
Manifestations include systemic symptoms/signs including fever, cough, abdominal pain, diarrhea, hepatosplenomegaly, and eosinophilia. Occasionally, Schistosoma infections may lead to central nervous system lesions.