Uso da miltefosina no tratamento clínico de cães com leishmaniose visceral: revisão de literatura / Use of miltefosin in the clinical treatment of dogs with visceral leishmaniosis / Uso de miltefosina en el tratamiento clínico de perros con leishmaniosis visceral: revisión de la literatura

A leishmaniose visceral canina é uma doença de caráter zoonótico, acometendo os seres humanos e diversas espécies de animais silvestres e domésticos. Objetivou-se com o presente estudo realizar uma revisão de literatura sobre o uso da miltefosina no tratamento clínico de cães com leishmaniose visceral. Trata- se de uma revisão de literatura, a qual foi realizada por meio de consultas à periódicos e livros presentes na biblioteca do Cesmac. Foram utilizadas bases de dados como: portal Capes, SCIELO, Google Acadêmico; pesquisa em monografias, teses e dissertações. Causada pelo protozoário Leishmania chagasi, sendo o cão doméstico o principal reservatório desse protozoário. Por representar um problema grave de saúde pública e ser considerada uma doença potencialmente fatal (quando não tratada precocemente e adequadamente), faz- se importante que o clínico esteja familiarizado com os sinais clínicos, exames complementares e principais protocolos terapêuticos, em especial a utilização da miltefosina no tratamento da leishmaniose visceral em cães. Por ser uma zoonose que causa graves problemas de saúde pública e que vem crescendo cada vez mais no Brasil, cabe aos médicos veterinários assumirem o compromisso na conscientização sobre a importância do diagnóstico precoce além de promoverem o bem-estar animal e a saúde pública.(AU)

Canine visceral leishmaniasis is a zoonotic disease, affecting humans and several species of wild and domestic animals. The objective of the present study was to carry out a literature review on the use of miltefosine in the clinical treatment of dogs with visceral leishmaniasis. This is a literature review, which was carried out through consultations with periodicals and books present in the Cesmac library. Databases such as: Capes portal, SCIELO, Google Scholar; research in monographs, theses and dissertations. Caused by the protozoan Leishmania chagasi, with the domestic dog being the main reservoir of this protozoan. As it represents a serious public health problem and is considered a potentially fatal disease (when not treated early and properly), it is important that the clinician is familiar with the clinical signs, complementary exams and main therapeutic protocols, especially the use of miltefosine in the treatment of visceral leishmaniasis in dogs. As it is a zoonosis that causes serious public health problems and that has been growing more and more in Brazil, it is up to veterinarians to make a commitment to raise awareness of the importance of early diagnosis in addition to promoting animal welfare and public health.(AU)

La leishmaniosis visceral canina es una enfermedad zoonótica que afecta a los seres humanos y a varias especies de animales salvajes y domésticos. El objetivo de este estudio fue realizar una revisión bibliográfica sobre el uso de la miltefosina en el tratamiento clínico de perros con leishmaniosis visceral. Se trata de una revisión bibliográfica, que se realizó mediante consultas a publicaciones periódicas y libros presentes en la biblioteca del Cesmac. Se utilizaron bases de datos como: portal Capes, SCIELO, Google Académico; investigación en monografías, tesis y disertaciones. Causada por el protozoo Leishmania chagasi, siendo el perro doméstico el principal reservorio de este protozoo. Dado que representa un grave problema de salud pública y se considera una enfermedad potencialmente mortal (cuando no se trata de forma temprana y adecuada), es importante que el clínico esté familiarizado con los signos clínicos, las pruebas adicionales y los principales protocolos terapéuticos, especialmente el uso de miltefosina en el tratamiento de la leishmaniosis visceral en perros. Siendo una zoonosis que causa graves problemas de salud pública y que viene creciendo cada vez más en Brasil, corresponde a los veterinarios asumir el compromiso de concienciar sobre la importancia del diagnóstico precoz y promover el bienestar animal y la salud pública.(AU)

Directrices para el tratamiento de las leishmaniasis en la región de las américas - 2 ed / Guidelines for the treatment of leishmaniasis in the region of the Americas - 2 ed

Las leishmaniasis son enfermedades infecciosas desatendidas de gran importancia en la Región de las Américas debido a su morbilidad, mortalidad y amplia distribución geográfica. De las tres formas clínicas principales, la cutánea es la más común y la visceral es la forma más grave, ya que puede causar la muerte de hasta 90% de las personas que no reciban tratamiento. En el 2013, la Organización Panamericana de la Salud (OPS) elaboró recomendaciones para el tratamiento de las leishmaniasis en la Región de las Américas utilizando la metodología de clasificación de la valoración, la elaboración y la evaluación de las recomendaciones (GRADE, por su sigla en inglés). No obstante, dada la evidencia acumulada desde entonces, se hizo necesario revisar esas recomendaciones. En esta segunda edición se presentan las recomendaciones actualizadas sobre el tratamiento de las leishmaniasis, y se detallan los esquemas y los criterios de indicación del tratamiento en el contexto regional. Estas directrices presentan modificaciones sustanciales con respecto a la primera edición. En el caso de la leishmaniasis cutánea, se ha eliminado el ketoconazol de las opciones terapéuticas, el número de especies de Leishmania para las que hay evidencia sólida de la eficacia de la miltefosina ha aumentado de dos a cuatro y la recomendación de administrar antimoniales intralesionales ahora es fuerte. Con respecto a la leishmaniasis mucosa, se incluye una recomendación fuerte sobre el uso de antimoniales pentavalentes con o sin pentoxifilina oral. Por lo que respecta a la leishmaniasis visceral, la recomendación fuerte sobre el uso de antimoniales pentavalentes y desoxicolato de anfotericina B ahora es condicional. También hay evidencia contundente en contra del uso de miltefosina en pacientes con leishmaniasis causada por Leishmania infantum. Otros cambios importantes son el desglose de las recomendaciones según si se trata de pacientes adultos o pediátricos, la inclusión de las especies de Leishmania y, en el caso de los pacientes inmunocomprometidos, la introducción de una recomendación fuerte contra el uso de antimoniales pentavalentes. Esta segunda edición es una versión revisada de la publicación Leishmaniasis en las Américas: recomendaciones para el tratamiento: https://iris.paho.org/handle/10665.2/7704

Qualidade de vida e condição clínica de indivíduos com hanseníase / Calidad de vida y estado clínico de las personas con lepra / Quality of life and clinical condition of individuals with leprosy

RESUMO Objetivo: analisar a qualidade de vida dos indivíduos com hanseníase em tratamento na rede de Atenção Básica e Especializada de saúde e realizar uma comparação de acordo com as condições clínicas dos pacientes. Método: estudo transversal, de caráter analítico, realizado na Atenção Básica e Especializada de saúde em João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brasil. A amostra foi coletada entre os meses de janeiro e março de 2017, sendo composta por 96 indivíduos em tratamento para doença, na faixa etária acima de 18 anos de idade. As informações foram coletadas a partir de um formulário semiestruturado contendo variáveis sociodemográficas e clínicas e o instrumento validado World Health Organization Quality of life Assessment bref. Os dados foram analisados com base nas técnicas de análise descritiva, tendo sido aplicados os testes de Normalidade (Kolmogorov-Smirnov), Levene, t paramétrico e ANOVA (teste post hoc tukey). Resultados: o escore geral para qualidade de vida entre os 96 participantes da pesquisa se manteve intermediário ( x ¯=57,04) sendo o domínio físico mais afetado negativamente ( x ¯=54,09). As questões contidas nos domínios "Recreação e lazer" ( x ¯=31,41), "Sentimentos negativos" ( x ¯=35,16), "Recursos Financeiros" ( x ¯=35,68) e "Dor e desconforto" ( x ¯=35,68) apresentaram menor escore médio. Pacientes com condições clínicas "osteoporose e artrose" (p = 0,011) e "neurite atual" (p = 0,001) obtiveram qualidade de vida em nível intermediário. Conclusão: evidenciou-se que pessoas com hanseníase têm qualidade de vida em nível intermediário, principalmente quando associada à neurite e a comorbidades, o que ressalva a necessidade de acompanhamento contínuo dos participantes da pesquisa.

RESUMEN Objetivo: analizar la calidad de vida de los individuos con lepra en tratamiento en la red de Atención Primaria y Especializada y su comparación según las condiciones clínicas de los pacientes. Método: estudio transversal, de carácter analítico, realizado en la Asistencia Sanitaria Básica y Especializada de João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brasil. La muestra se recogió entre enero y marzo de 2017, formada por 96 individuos en tratamiento por la enfermedad, mayores de 18 años. La información se recogió mediante un formulario semiestructurado que contenía variables sociodemográficas y clínicas, y el instrumento validado World Health Organization Quality of life Assessment bref. Los datos se analizaron a partir de las técnicas de análisis descriptivo y se aplicaron las pruebas de normalidad (Kolmogorov-Smirnov), Levene, t paramétrica y ANOVA (prueba de tukey post hoc). Resultados: la puntuación global de la calidad de vida entre los 96 participantes en la investigación se mantuvo en un nivel intermedio ( x ¯=57,04) y el dominio físico fue el más afectado negativamente ( x ¯=54,09). En cuanto a las preguntas contenidas en los dominios, "Recreación y ocio" ( x ¯=31,41), "Sentimientos negativos" ( x ¯=35,16), "Recursos económicos" ( x ¯=35,68) y "Dolor y malestar" ( x ¯=35,68) mostraron puntuaciones medias más bajas. Los pacientes con condiciones clínicas de "osteoporosis y artrosis" (p = 0,011) y "neuritis actual" (p = 0,001) obtuvieron una calidad de vida de nivel intermedio. Conclusión: se evidenció que las personas con lepra tienen un nivel intermedio de calidad de vida, especialmente cuando se asocia a neuritis y comorbilidades, lo que pone de manifiesto la necesidad de un seguimiento continuo de los participantes en la investigación.

ABSTRACT Objective: to analyze the quality of life of individuals with leprosy undergoing treatment in the Basic and Specialized Health Care network and to perform a comparison according to the clinical conditions of the patients. Method: cross-sectional, analytical study carried out in Primary and Specialized Health Care in João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil. The sample was collected between January and March 2017, consisting of 96 individuals undergoing treatment for the disease, aged over 18 years. Information was collected using a semi-structured form containing sociodemographic and clinical variables and the validated instrument World Health Organization Quality of life Assessment bref. Data were analyzed based on descriptive analysis techniques, using the Normality (Kolmogorov-Smirnov), Levene, parametric t and ANOVA (post hoc Tukey test) tests. Results: the overall score for quality of life among the 96 research subjects remained intermediate ( x ¯=57.04), with the Physical domain being most negatively affected ( x ¯=54.09). The questions contained in the domains "recreation and leisure" ( x ¯=31.41), "negative feelings" ( x ¯=35.16), "Financial Resources" ( x ¯=35.68) and "Pain and distress" ( x ¯= 35.68) had a lower mean score. Patients with clinical conditions "osteoporosis and arthrosis" (p = 0.011) and "current neuritis" (p = 0.001) had an intermediate quality of life. Conclusion: it was shown that people with leprosy have an intermediate quality of life, especially when associated with neuritis and comorbidities, which highlights the need for continuous monitoring of research subjects.

In vitro and in silico evaluation of the schistosomicidal activity of eugenol derivatives using biochemical, molecular, and morphological tools

Background Eugenol shows both antibacterial and antiparasitic activities, suggesting that it might be evaluated as an option for the treatment of praziquantel-resistant schistosome. Methods The in vitro activities of three eugenol derivatives (FB1, FB4 and FB9) on adult worms from Schistosoma mansoni were examined by fluorescence and scanning electron microscopy to analyze effects on the excretory system and integument damage, respectively. Biochemical tests with verapamil (a calcium channel antagonist) and ouabain (a Na+/K+-ATPase pump inhibitor) were used to characterize eugenol derivative interactions with calcium channels and the Na+/K+-ATPase, while in silico analysis identified potential Na+/K+-ATPase binding sites. Results The compounds showed effective doses (ED50) of 0.324 mM (FB1), 0.167 mM (FB4), and 0.340 mM (FB9). In addition, FB4 (0.322 mM), which showed the lowest ED50, ED90 and ED100 (p < 0.05), caused the most damage to the excretory system and integument, according to both fluorescence and scanning electron microscopy analysis. The death of adult worms was delayed by ouabain treatment plus FB1 (192 versus 72 hours) and FB9 (192 versus 168 hours), but the response to FB4 was the same in the presence or absence of ouabain. Besides, no changes were noted when all of the eugenol derivatives were combined with verapamil. Moreover, FB1 and FB9 inhibited Na+/K+-ATPase activity according to in silico analysis but FB4 did not show a time-dependent relationship and may act on targets other than the parasite Na+/K+-ATPase. Conclusion Eugenol derivatives, mainly FB4 when compared to FB1 and FB9, seem to act more effectively on the integument of adult S. mansoni worms.(AU)

Efficacy and safety of dimeticones in the treatment of epidermal parasitic skin diseases with special emphasis on tungiasis: an evidence-based critical review

ABSTRACT Epidermal parasitic skin diseases encompass scabies, pediculosis, cutaneous larva migrans, myiasis, and tungiasis. Tungiasis is probably the most neglected of all Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD). It occurs in South America, the Caribbean and Sub-Saharan Africa and affects marginalized populations where people live in extreme poverty. In endemic communities the prevalence can be up to 30% in general population and 85% in children. Over time, chronic pathology develops characterized by hyperkeratosis, edema around the nail rim, fissures, ulcers, deformation and loss of nails. This leads to a pattern of disabilities, eventually resulting in impairment of mobility.Dimeticones are a family of silicon oils with a potential to kill parasites located on top or inside the epidermis by a physical mode of action. They are considered the treatment of choice for pediculosis capitis and pediculosis pubis. With regard to tungiasis, the so called rear abdominal cone of the parasites has been identified as a target for treatment with dimeticones. NYDA®, a mixture of two dimeticones with different viscosity, is the only dimeticone product for which data on the mode of action, efficacy and safety with regard to tungiasis exists. The product has been shown highly effective against embedded sand fleas, even in very intense infection with more than 500 parasites situated on top of each other. A randomized controlled trial showed that seven days after a targeted application of NYDA® 97% (95% CI 94-99%) of the embedded sand fleas had lost all signs of viability.Comprehensive toxicological investigations on the dimeticones contained in NYDA® showed that there is practically no risk of embryotoxicity, fetotoxicity, teratogenicity, and other toxicity. The safety of dimeticones was also demonstrated in clinical trials with a total of 106 participants with tungiasis, in which not a single adverse event was observed.

Why do we have so many molecules and biodiversity but so few antiparasite medicines? / Porqué tenemos tantas moléculas bioactivas y biodiversidad pero tan pocas medicinas antiparasitarias?

Natural products are isolated from biodiversity, that is, from plants, microorganisms, insects, and marine organisms; most of the biodiversity is found in about 10-12 countries located around the Equator. For a long time, people chose this option to alleviate diseases and the industry to discover new medicines; however, from the 70's onwards synthetic products have displaced them. Today there is a rebirth of natural products research and annually hundreds of new natural and synthetic bioactive molecules are reported in specialized journals. On the other hands, new drugs are continually required and especially there is a deficit of them to treat the so-called Neglected Diseases, which affect and threaten the health of billions of people in the world. These diseases paradoxically affect almost all megadiverse countries. Thus, the richest countries in biodiversity do not benefit from the use of natural products because research, development and production of new medicines are carried out in more technologically advanced countries. Why do we have so many molecules in biodiversity and journals but so few medicines? How could new antiparasite drugs be developed quickly and cheaply in the countries affected by Neglected Diseases? A feasible alternative is the Mining in Press, that is, the search of molecules in scientific literature. In this paper we analyze the reasons why these valuable substances have not become drugs and remain curiosities of laboratories and libraries, and the advantages of using this approach as a source of drugs or templates to other bioactive molecules.

Los productos naturales son aislados de la biodiversidad, es decir, de plantas, microorganismos y organismos marinos; gran parte de la biodiversidad se encuentra en cerca de 10-12 paises localizados alrededor del Ecuador. Por mucho tiempo, la gente ha seleccionado esta opción para aliviar sus enfermedades y la industria para descubrir nuevas medicinas; sin embargo, desde los años 70s los productos sintéticos los han desplazado. Hoy hay un renacimiento de la investigación de productos naturales y anualmente cientos de nuevas moléculas naturales y sintéticas bioactivas son reportados en las publicaciones especializadas. De otro lado, continuamente se requieren nuevas drogas y especialmente hay un déficit de ellas para tratar las llamadas Enfermedades Olvidadas, que afectan y amenazan la salud de miles de millones de personas en el mundo. Estas enfermedades paradójicamente afectan casi todos los países megadiversos. De esta manera, los países más ricos en biodiversidad no se benefician del uso de productos naturales, ya que la investigación, el desarrollo y la producción de nuevas medicinas se lleva a cabo en países tecnológicamente avanzados. Por qué tenemos tantas moléculas en la biodiversidad y en las publicaciones, pero tan pocas medicinas? Cómo podrían las drogas antiparasitarias ser desarrolladas de manera mas rápida y barata en los países afectados por las Enfermedades Olvidadas? Una posible alternativa es la Minería de las Publicaciones, es decir, la búsqueda de moléculas en la literatura científica. En este artículo nosotros analizamos las razones por la cuales esas valiosas sustancias no han llegado a ser drogas y permanecen como curiosidades de los laboratorios y bibliotecas, y las ventajas de usar esta aproximación como una fuente de drogas o modelos de otras moléculas bioactivas.

From Medicinal Chemistry to Human Health: Current Approaches to Drug Discovery for Cancer and Neglected Tropical Diseases

ABSTRACT Scientific and technological breakthroughs have compelled the current players in drug discovery to increasingly incorporate knowledge-based approaches. This evolving paradigm, which has its roots attached to the recent advances in medicinal chemistry, molecular and structural biology, has unprecedentedly demanded the development of up-to-date computational approaches, such as bio- and chemo-informatics. These tools have been pivotal to catalyzing the ever-increasing amount of data generated by the molecular sciences, and to converting the data into insightful guidelines for use in the research pipeline. As a result, ligand- and structure-based drug design have emerged as key pathways to address the pharmaceutical industry's striking demands for innovation. These approaches depend on a keen integration of experimental and molecular modeling methods to surmount the main challenges faced by drug candidates - in vivo efficacy, pharmacodynamics, metabolism, pharmacokinetics and safety. To that end, the Laboratório de Química Medicinal e Computacional (LQMC) of the Universidade de São Paulo has developed forefront research on highly prevalent and life-threatening neglected tropical diseases and cancer. By taking part in global initiatives for pharmaceutical innovation, the laboratory has contributed to the advance of these critical therapeutic areas through the use of cutting-edge strategies in medicinal chemistry.

Cromoblastomicosis: características clínicas y microbiológicas de una enfermedad desatendida / Chromoblastomycosis: clinical and microbiological characteristics of a neglected disease

Resumen La cromoblastomicosis es una enfermedad fúngica desatendida de curso crónico, que infecta por inoculación al tejido subcutáneo de personas con riesgo ocupacional. Comunicamos dos casos de adultos procedentes de regiones tropicales del norte del Perú, afectados con lesiones crónicas eritemato-escamosas y puntos negros múltiples, con dolor, prurito y cicatrización en áreas más antiguas de la lesión. El diagnóstico se realizó con el examen directo de escamas dérmicas con presencias de células fumagoides típicas y el aislamiento de hongos dematiáceos Fonsecaea pedrosoi y Fonsecaea sp., en el primer y segundo caso; respectivamente. Los pacientes recibieron tratamiento antifúngico con itraconazol, sin poder observar el resultado final debido al abandono del tratamiento y control médico.

Chromoblastomycosis is a neglected and chronic fungal disease, mainly affects the subcutaneous tissue in limbs of people with occupational risk. Here, we report two cases of adult patients from tropical regions of northern Peru, affected with chronic erythematous scaly lesions and multiple blackheads, pain, itching and scarring in older areas of injury. Direct examination of the dermal scales showed typical of this disease fumagoides cells; Fonsecaea pedrosoi and Fonsecaea sp. were isolated for at first and second case respectively. Patients received antifungal treatment with itraconazole; however, in both cases the final outcome was not observed due to treatment abandonment and medical care.

Lepromatous leprosy simulating rheumatoid arthritis - Report of a neglected disease

Abstract Brazil has the second largest number of leprosy cases in the world; nevertheless, late diagnosis is common. We report the case of a male patient with pain and numbness in both hands and feet for six years with positive rheumatoid factor and anticardiolipin under rheumatoid arthritis treatment for five years. Examination revealed diffuse cutaneous infiltration and leonine facies, characteristic features of lepromatous leprosy. Autoantibodies such as rheumatoid factor and anticardiolipin are markers of rheumatic autoimmune diseases, but their presence is also described in leprosy. We report the present case in order to alert health professionals to remember leprosy, even in areas where the disease is considered eliminated as a public health problem, avoiding misinterpretations of serologic findings and misdiagnosis.

Drug discovery for Chagas disease should consider Trypanosoma cruzi strain diversity

This opinion piece presents an approach to standardisation of an important aspect of Chagas disease drug discovery and development: selecting Trypanosoma cruzi strains for in vitro screening. We discuss the rationale for strain selection representing T. cruzi diversity and provide recommendations on the preferred parasite stage for drug discovery, T. cruzi discrete typing units to include in the panel of strains and the number of strains/clones for primary screens and lead compounds. We also consider experimental approaches for in vitro drug assays. The Figure illustrates the current Chagas disease drug-discovery and development landscape.

Mansonelliasis, a neglected parasitic disease in Haiti

Reported in Haiti as early as 1923, Mansonella ozzardi is still a neglected disease ignored by the health authorities of the country. This review is an update on the geographic distribution of the coastal foci of mansonelliasis in Haiti, the epidemiological profile and prevalence rates of microfilariae in people living in endemic areas, the clinical impact of the parasite on health and the efficiency of the transmission of the parasite among three Culicoides biting-midge species identified as vectors in Haiti. Additionally, interest in establishing a treatment programme to combat this parasite using a single dose of ivermectin is emphasised.

Cisticercosis ocular / Ocular cisticercosis

La cisticercosis establece un grupo de enfermedades zoonóticas parasitarias; cuando se aloja en el ojo y sus anexos producen una cisticercosis ocular y periocular. Constituye una de las causas de uveítis ocular y pérdida importante de la visión. El diagnóstico clínico se realiza mediante la observación directa del parásito, cuando existen opacidades de los medios, el ultrasonido se emplea como medio diagnóstico útil. Los anti helmintos asociados a esteroides forman parte de su terapéutica, sumado al tratamiento definitivo de la extracción del parásito, en este tipo de afección mediante vitrectomía vía pars plana. Se presenta un caso portador de esta condición, se describen las características más importantes del cuadro clínico, diagnóstico, manejo y curso evolutivo-terapéutico

Cysticercosis brings about a group of zoonotic parasitic diseases, when it deals with the eye and its appendices, then ocular and periocular cistercosis emerges. It is one of the causes of ocular uveÝtis and significant loss of vision. The clinical diagnosis is made by direct observation of the parasite. If there are opacities, then the ultrasound technique is the useful diagnostic means. The steroid-related antihelminthic drugs are part of the treatment together with the final extraction of the parasite through pars plana vitrectomy. The most important characteristics of the clinical picture, the diagnosis, the management and the progression and treatment of a patient suffering this disease is presented in this article

Neurocisticercosis: una enfermedad desatendida en Chile / Neurocysticercosis: an neglected disease in Chile

Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is not a notifiable disease in Chile and has received little attention on the national medical literature. In order to evaluate the relevance and clinical features of the disease, we performed a retrospective analysis in a general hospital of five cases of NCC during a 11 years period. Age ranged from 3 to 63 years and all had history of living or visiting southern Chile. Three patients had a solitary parenchymal cyst in vesicular or granulomatous stages and presented with generalized seizures. Their outcome was favorable after anticonvulsant and albendazole therapy and cysts reduced in size and calcified during follow-up. The other 2 patients had extra-parenchymal or mixed forms, including a pregnant woman with intraventricular cysts who developed endocraneal hypertension and recurrent dysfunction of her ventriculoperitoneal shunt. This patient died after discharge despite an initial favorable evolution with steroids and high-dose albendazole. This case series showed that NCC is still an epidemiological and clinical problem in Chile, affects patients within a wide range of age including children, requires multidisciplinary therapeutic interventions, and has two clinical presentations with different prognosis including one malignant form. To control this infection, a surveillance or reporting system should be initiated.

La neurocisticercosis (NCC) no es una enfermedad de notificación obligatoria en Chile y ha recibido poca atención en la literatura médica local. Para evaluar su importancia y perfil clínico se hizo un análisis retrospectivo en un hospital general. Cinco casos de NCC fueron identificados en un período de 11 años. El rango de edad fue de 3 a 63 años y todos tenían antecedentes de visita o residencia en el sur del país. Tres pacientes tenían quistes únicos parenquimatosos en etapas granulomatosas o vesiculares y se presentaron con convulsiones generalizadas. Su evolución fue favorable con terapia anticonvulsivante y albendazol y los quistes se redujeron de tamaño y calcificaron durante el seguimiento. Los otros pacientes presentaron formas extra-parenquimatosas o mixtas e incluían a una mujer embarazada con quistes intraven-triculares quien desarrolló hipertensión endocraneana y disfunción recurrente de su válvula. Ella falleció después del alta a pesar de una evolución inicial favorable con corticoesteroides y albendazol. La NCC es un problema vigente en nuestro país pero de epidemiología desconocida, afecta a un amplio grupo etario, requiere múltiples intervenciones terapéuticas y presenta dos formas de diferente pronóstico, una de ellas maligna. Para controlarla es necesario incluirla en las enfermedades notificables.