Cysticircosis, is a condition that is known today more as the one that had affected Leander Paes than for any other reasons. However, it has many other dimensions, which are of vital importance for all of us, simply because it can happen to all of us and its effects could be far-reaching.

Indiainfo.com thought it essential to provide its valued browsers as much information as possible on this seemingly simple but dangerous infection. Towards this direction the team from indiainfo.com approached Dr Pradeep, a Radiologist at Mallya and Wockhardt - the two major multi-speciality hospitals in Bangalore - who had contracted this infection recently. Dr Pradeep, in spite of his busy schedule, willingly spoke at length to indiainfo.com and gave very valuable inputs regarding Cysticircosis.

Here is an exclusive interview with Dr Pradeep brought exclusively by indiainfo.com to you.

Indiainfo: Doctor, briefly tell us about yourself.

Dr Pradeep: I am a Radiologist serving Wockhardt and Mallya hospitals. I studied in Coimbatore and Davanagere. I’ve worked at CMC Vellore also.

Indiainfo: Did you have Cysticircosis?

Dr Pradeep: Yes. In fact I’m still undergoing treatment for Cysticircosis.

Indiainfo: When did you realise you had contracted Cysticircosis?

Dr Pradeep: Around 18 months ago (somewhere in November). During one of my regular work hours, I was examining a patient under a CT scanner. It was 7: 30 in the evening and it was just another regular day. However, during scanning I wanted to ask about the patient's report but I couldn’t. I was trying to talk to her, but the patient kept staring at my face because I couldn’t speak. Suddenly I realised that I had lost speech. I stopped scanning and went out of the cabin. I went into the cloak and tried to speak and scream, but I just couldn’t.

Then I rushed to a Neurologist in the same hospital. Since I couldn’t speak, I tried to scribble what was going on. To my astonishment, I couldn’t write anything properly. The spellings were wrong, the words were haphazard and erratic. Then suddenly I spoke. I regained my speech and I was perfectly back to normal.

Indiainfo: Sir, what is this condition called?

Dr Pradeep: This sudden loss of speech momentarily is called APHASIA.

Indiainfo: What happened next?

Dr Pradeep: Since I had developed a swelling on the left side of my head (tempo-parietal lobe) we went for a CT scan, which showed that I had two ring lesions in my brain. These lesions were nothing but tapeworm larvae. In medical terminology they are referred to as Cysticircosis. There are two species of tapeworms--Tenia Solium and Tenia Saginata.

Indiainfo: Why or how do you think you got this infection?

Dr Pradeep: That’s a very interesting question. You know, I had become beauty-conscious and I wanted to reduce my weight. So, I went for a controlled diet. For over a year my diet consisted of only fresh leaves and vegetables. Though the leaves and vegetables were cleaned and cooked at my home we didn’t realise that the leaves and vegetables contained eggs of tapeworm. So, at the end of the year I had lost around 8-9 kgs, but I had contracted Cysticircosis.

Indiainfo: Even after cleaning, the eggs of the larva remain?

Dr Pradeep: Yes, they wouldn’t die unless cooked or boiled. You can also wash using Potassium Permanganate. Unless leaves and vegetables are properly cooked/boiled chances are the eggs will enter the body and eventually the blood.

Indiainfo: Is it new to India?

Dr Pradeep: No, No. Cysticircosis is endemic to India. That means it is quite common in India. In fact, we all might carry these larvae, but only some manifest into adult worms and lead to the disease. The main parts that are affected are; muscles (buttock& thigh), eyes, brain and the heart.

Indiainfo: What are the symptoms and what is the treatment available?

Dr Pradeep: The symptoms depend upon the part affected. For example, if it infects the brain then the functions controlled by that part of the brain would show symptoms. Like in my case, I lost speech because my left-brain was infected. As regards treatment, it is available at all the places where scanning is available. Usual tests like MRI, stool examination and computerised tumography are enough to diagnose. Confirmatory tests like spinal fluid analysis and blood tests (easinophilia) are done. Albandazloe and other steroids are recommended to treat Cysticircosis now.