Daniel is now 21 month old, he is cortically blind from Raccoon Roundworm Encephalitis, he developed Infantile spasms 5 months after onset of Encephalitis, from the rarest type of epilepsy and the rarest parasite.
Daniel developed normal and healthy, he could run and talk, till he ingusted these miro-eggs at 14 months old Sept.12/08, that hatched in his body and eat half his brain, Daniel was never near a Raccoon. He is the 15th person in the world diagnoses with raccoon roundworm, and the only case that did not go into a coma, thank god, but he still went blind and when we brought him home he could not crawl, walk nor talk, Daniel will never be the same boy again, he was put on Albendazole and prednisone for 3 months, after 7 month of retraining his brain, He can sit and walk holding my hand, he can see alittle now, navagating tho clutters with his blindsight. "The Light box" and bright lights, strob lights worked very good, but the black and light strips worked the best. As for his development Infantile spasms uncontrolled, he's on Keppra and Vigabatrin, the worst thing about these medications are that he cant talk to tell me if he having the terrfing side effect that they could cause. We are very lucky and thankful that Daniel is with us today, We Hope and pray someday he'll be able to see, or walk or not have a suffer from seizures.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
What Is Infantile Spasm?
Infantile spasms (also called West syndrome because it was first described by Dr. William James West, in the 1840s) consist of a sudden jerk followed by stiffening. Often the arms are flung out as the knees are pulled up and the body bends forward ("jackknife seizures"). Less often, the head can be thrown back as the body and legs stiffen in a straight-out position, or movements can be more subtle and limited to the neck or other body parts. Each seizure lasts only a second or two but they usually occur close together in a series. Sometimes the spasms are mistaken for colic, but the cramps of colic do not occur in a series.
Infantile spasms are most common just after waking up and rarely occur during sleep.
Who gets it?
Infantile spasms begin between 3 and 12 months of age, but could happen up to the age of 4 and usually stop by the age of 2 to 6 years or change to other types of seizures. It is likely that this age dependence is due to the stage of development of the brain. 60% of babies with Infantile Spasm are usually causes by a disease or disorder that affects the brain. Perhaps there was a problem before the child was born. If this problem occurred at a very early stage then the brain may not have been built correctly. This problem might be obvious and the parents might already know that it exists or it may need investigations to find it. Perhaps there was a problem around the time of birth and the brain was developing normally but was damaged. Damage to a normal brain can occur to babies during pregnancy, from child birth, and it can also occur in babies born prematurely – usually before 32 weeks of pregnancy where the brain is not yet strong enough to withstand being born. Damage can also occur after birth from meningitis or trauma for example, but others have had no apparent injury and have been deveoping normal. If you read about infantile spasms, you will come across words about the causes of infantile spasms. Often, doctors talk about idiopathic, cryptogenic and symptomatic causes.
But even after investigations are complete, we still do not know why the condition has started in about one third of infants. They are uncommon, affecting only one baby out of a few thousand babies and there is no evidence that family history, the baby's sex, or factors such as immunizations are related to infantile spasms.
How is the diagnose made?
When a baby with infantile spasms has an EEG, the doctor usually will see an unusual pattern called hypsarrhythmia (HIP-sa-RITH-me-ah) when the seizures are not occurring. This chaotic, high-voltage pattern is often helpful in confirming the diagnosis.
Babies with infantile spasms seem to stop developing and may lose skills that they had already mastered, such as sitting, rolling over, or babbling.
How is it treated?
Steroid therapy (adrenocorticotropic hormone [ACTH] or prednisone) is the primary treatment for infantile spasms. Some experts recommend trying a seizure medicine such as Sabril (vigabatrin, not available in the United States), Depakote (valproate), or Topamax (topiramate) before steroid therapy. In countries where it is available, Sabril is often used as the initial therapy because it is relatively safe (especially for short-term use) and effective. It is especially effective for children with tuberous sclerosis (a disorder associated with abnormalities involving the brain, skin, heart, and other parts of the body). Sabril is associated with damage to the retina of the eye and should be used with caution in children.
What's the outlook?
Most children with infantile spasms are mentally retarded later in life. Those whose spasms are related to an underlying developmental brain disorder or injury have a higher likelihood of moderate to severe retardation. The outlook is brighter for those who were developing normally before the spasms started: 10 to 20% will have normal mental function and some others may be only mildly impaired. Some children with infantile spasms develop autism. Many doctors believe that the quicker the seizures are controlled, the better the results will be.
When the spasms stop, many children later develop other kinds of epilepsy. About one-fifth of children who have had infantile spasms will have the Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.
Infantile spasms are most common just after waking up and rarely occur during sleep.
Who gets it?
Infantile spasms begin between 3 and 12 months of age, but could happen up to the age of 4 and usually stop by the age of 2 to 6 years or change to other types of seizures. It is likely that this age dependence is due to the stage of development of the brain. 60% of babies with Infantile Spasm are usually causes by a disease or disorder that affects the brain. Perhaps there was a problem before the child was born. If this problem occurred at a very early stage then the brain may not have been built correctly. This problem might be obvious and the parents might already know that it exists or it may need investigations to find it. Perhaps there was a problem around the time of birth and the brain was developing normally but was damaged. Damage to a normal brain can occur to babies during pregnancy, from child birth, and it can also occur in babies born prematurely – usually before 32 weeks of pregnancy where the brain is not yet strong enough to withstand being born. Damage can also occur after birth from meningitis or trauma for example, but others have had no apparent injury and have been deveoping normal. If you read about infantile spasms, you will come across words about the causes of infantile spasms. Often, doctors talk about idiopathic, cryptogenic and symptomatic causes.
But even after investigations are complete, we still do not know why the condition has started in about one third of infants. They are uncommon, affecting only one baby out of a few thousand babies and there is no evidence that family history, the baby's sex, or factors such as immunizations are related to infantile spasms.
How is the diagnose made?
When a baby with infantile spasms has an EEG, the doctor usually will see an unusual pattern called hypsarrhythmia (HIP-sa-RITH-me-ah) when the seizures are not occurring. This chaotic, high-voltage pattern is often helpful in confirming the diagnosis.
Babies with infantile spasms seem to stop developing and may lose skills that they had already mastered, such as sitting, rolling over, or babbling.
How is it treated?
Steroid therapy (adrenocorticotropic hormone [ACTH] or prednisone) is the primary treatment for infantile spasms. Some experts recommend trying a seizure medicine such as Sabril (vigabatrin, not available in the United States), Depakote (valproate), or Topamax (topiramate) before steroid therapy. In countries where it is available, Sabril is often used as the initial therapy because it is relatively safe (especially for short-term use) and effective. It is especially effective for children with tuberous sclerosis (a disorder associated with abnormalities involving the brain, skin, heart, and other parts of the body). Sabril is associated with damage to the retina of the eye and should be used with caution in children.
What's the outlook?
Most children with infantile spasms are mentally retarded later in life. Those whose spasms are related to an underlying developmental brain disorder or injury have a higher likelihood of moderate to severe retardation. The outlook is brighter for those who were developing normally before the spasms started: 10 to 20% will have normal mental function and some others may be only mildly impaired. Some children with infantile spasms develop autism. Many doctors believe that the quicker the seizures are controlled, the better the results will be.
When the spasms stop, many children later develop other kinds of epilepsy. About one-fifth of children who have had infantile spasms will have the Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.
What Is Raccoon Roundworm?
Baylisascaris Infection(Bay-liss-ass-kuh-ris) Is Raccoon Roundworm Infection
What is Baylisascaris infection?
Baylisascaris, an intestinal raccoon roundworm, can infect a variety of other animals, including humans. The worms develop to maturity in the raccoon intestine, where they produce millions of eggs that are passed in the feces. Released eggs take 2-4 weeks to become infective to other animals and humans. The eggs are resistant to most environmental conditions and with adequate moisture, can survive for years.
How do humans become infected?
People become infected when they accidentally ingest infective eggs in soil, water, or on objects that have been contaminated with raccoon feces.
When humans ingest these eggs, they hatch into larvae in the person's intestine and travel throughout the body, affecting the organs and muscles.
Who is at risk for infection?
Anyone who is exposed to environments where raccoons live is potentially at risk. Young children or developmentally disabled persons are at highest risk for infection when they spend time outdoors and may put contaminated fingers, soil, or objects into their mouths. Hunters, trappers, taxidermists, and wildlife handlers may also be at increased risk if they have contact with raccoons or raccoon habitats. Unfortunately the eggs are like seeds and are hard to kill, no man made chemical can kill them. The raccoon feces is left in trees and the rain washes the eggs down to the ground and the ONLY way to kill them is to boil them or fire.
How common is Baylisascaris infection in raccoons?
Fairly common. Infected raccoons have been found throughout the United States, mainly in the Midwest, Northeast, middle Atlantic, and West coast. Infection rarely causes symptoms in raccoons. Predator animals, including dogs, may also become infected by eating a smaller animal that has been infected with Baylisascaris.
How do raccoons become infected?
Raccoons become infected in one of two ways:
Young raccoons become infected by eating eggs during foraging, feeding, and grooming.
Adult raccoons acquire the infection by eating rodents, rabbits, and birds infected with the larvae of Baylisascaris.
How common is Baylisascaris infection in humans?
Infection is rarely diagnosed. Fever than 25 cases have been diagnosed and reported in the United States as of 1985. However, it is believed that may cases are mistakenly diagnosed as other infections or go undiagnosed. Cases have been reported in Oregon, California, Minnesota, Illinois, Michigan, New York, and Pennsylvania. Five of the infected persons died.
I have found the single cases study in all these states, the studies include 15 people, Daniel being the 15th, 2 cases in Canada, Ontario, all cases in a coma, except 2, all cases having a type of Brain damage before onset on Encephalitis(Pica/geophagia, Deveopment delay's, Klinefelter syndrome, Down Syndrome and autistic. 10 people surviver with severe mental retardation, cortical Blindness, and Epilepsy
100's of people have had Baylisasacaris Infection, but only 15 of them had the infection go up throught all the organ to the Brain.
What are the symptoms of Baylisascaris infection in humans?
Symptoms of infection depend on how many eggs are ingested and where in the body the larvae migrate (travel to). Once inside the body, eggs hatch into larvae and cause disease when they travel through the liver, brain, spinal cord, or other organs. Ingesting a few eggs may cause few or no symptoms, while ingesting large numbers of eggs may lead to serious symptoms. Symptoms of infection may take a week or so to develop.
Symptoms include
Nausea
Tiredness
Liver enlargement
Loss of coordination
Lack of attention to people and surroundings
Loss of muscle control
Coma
Blindness
Death
Other animals (except raccoons) infected with Baylisascaris can develop similar symptoms, or may die as a result of infection.
What should I do if I think I have ingested Baylisascaris eggs?
If you suspect you have been infected, consult your health care provider immediately. Be sure to report that you have recently been exposed to raccoons or their feces.
How is infection diagnosed?
Infection is difficult to diagnose and often is made by ruling out other infections that cause similar symptoms. Information on diagnosis and testing can be obtained through DPDx or your local health department.
How should I clean up raccoon feces?
You should clean up very carefully. To eliminate eggs, feces and material contaminated with raccoon feces should be removed and burned, buried, or sent to a landfill. Care should be taken to avoid contaminating hands and clothes. The use of gloves and facemask will help prevent cross contamination. Treat feces-soiled decks, patios, and other surfaces with boiling water. Always wash hands well with soap and running water, to help further reduce possible infection.
Is treatment available?
Early treatment might reduce serious damage caused by the infection. Should you suspect you may have ingested raccoon feces, seek immediate medical attention.
How can I prevent infection in myself, my children, or my neighbors?
Avoid direct contact with raccoons — especially their feces. Do not keep, feed, or adopt raccoons as pets! Raccoons are wild animals.
Discourage raccoons from living in and around your home or parks by
preventing access to food
closing off access to attics and basements
keeping sand boxes covered at all times, (becomes a latrine)
removing fish ponds — they eat the fish and drink the water
eliminating all water sources
removing bird feeders
keeping trash containers tightly closed
clearing brush so raccoons are not likely to make a den on your property
Stay away from areas and materials that might be contaminated by raccoon feces. Raccoons typically defecate at the base of or in raised forks of trees, or on raised horizontal surfaces such as fallen logs, stumps, or large rocks. Raccoon feces also can be found on woodpiles, decks, rooftops, and in attics, garages, and haylofts. Feces usually are dark and tubular, have a pungent odor (usually worse than dog or cat feces), and often contain undigested seeds or other food items.
To eliminate eggs, raccoon feces and material contaminated with raccoon feces should be removed carefully and burned, buried, or sent to a landfill. Care should be taken to avoid contaminating hands and clothes. Treat decks, patios, and other surfaces with boiling water or a propane flame-gun. (Exercise proper precautions!) Newly deposited eggs take at least 2-4 weeks to become infective. Prompt removal and destruction of raccoon feces will reduce risk for exposure and possible infection.
Contact your local animal control office for further assistance.
What is Baylisascaris infection?
Baylisascaris, an intestinal raccoon roundworm, can infect a variety of other animals, including humans. The worms develop to maturity in the raccoon intestine, where they produce millions of eggs that are passed in the feces. Released eggs take 2-4 weeks to become infective to other animals and humans. The eggs are resistant to most environmental conditions and with adequate moisture, can survive for years.
How do humans become infected?
People become infected when they accidentally ingest infective eggs in soil, water, or on objects that have been contaminated with raccoon feces.
When humans ingest these eggs, they hatch into larvae in the person's intestine and travel throughout the body, affecting the organs and muscles.
Who is at risk for infection?
Anyone who is exposed to environments where raccoons live is potentially at risk. Young children or developmentally disabled persons are at highest risk for infection when they spend time outdoors and may put contaminated fingers, soil, or objects into their mouths. Hunters, trappers, taxidermists, and wildlife handlers may also be at increased risk if they have contact with raccoons or raccoon habitats. Unfortunately the eggs are like seeds and are hard to kill, no man made chemical can kill them. The raccoon feces is left in trees and the rain washes the eggs down to the ground and the ONLY way to kill them is to boil them or fire.
How common is Baylisascaris infection in raccoons?
Fairly common. Infected raccoons have been found throughout the United States, mainly in the Midwest, Northeast, middle Atlantic, and West coast. Infection rarely causes symptoms in raccoons. Predator animals, including dogs, may also become infected by eating a smaller animal that has been infected with Baylisascaris.
How do raccoons become infected?
Raccoons become infected in one of two ways:
Young raccoons become infected by eating eggs during foraging, feeding, and grooming.
Adult raccoons acquire the infection by eating rodents, rabbits, and birds infected with the larvae of Baylisascaris.
How common is Baylisascaris infection in humans?
Infection is rarely diagnosed. Fever than 25 cases have been diagnosed and reported in the United States as of 1985. However, it is believed that may cases are mistakenly diagnosed as other infections or go undiagnosed. Cases have been reported in Oregon, California, Minnesota, Illinois, Michigan, New York, and Pennsylvania. Five of the infected persons died.
I have found the single cases study in all these states, the studies include 15 people, Daniel being the 15th, 2 cases in Canada, Ontario, all cases in a coma, except 2, all cases having a type of Brain damage before onset on Encephalitis(Pica/geophagia, Deveopment delay's, Klinefelter syndrome, Down Syndrome and autistic. 10 people surviver with severe mental retardation, cortical Blindness, and Epilepsy
100's of people have had Baylisasacaris Infection, but only 15 of them had the infection go up throught all the organ to the Brain.
What are the symptoms of Baylisascaris infection in humans?
Symptoms of infection depend on how many eggs are ingested and where in the body the larvae migrate (travel to). Once inside the body, eggs hatch into larvae and cause disease when they travel through the liver, brain, spinal cord, or other organs. Ingesting a few eggs may cause few or no symptoms, while ingesting large numbers of eggs may lead to serious symptoms. Symptoms of infection may take a week or so to develop.
Symptoms include
Nausea
Tiredness
Liver enlargement
Loss of coordination
Lack of attention to people and surroundings
Loss of muscle control
Coma
Blindness
Death
Other animals (except raccoons) infected with Baylisascaris can develop similar symptoms, or may die as a result of infection.
What should I do if I think I have ingested Baylisascaris eggs?
If you suspect you have been infected, consult your health care provider immediately. Be sure to report that you have recently been exposed to raccoons or their feces.
How is infection diagnosed?
Infection is difficult to diagnose and often is made by ruling out other infections that cause similar symptoms. Information on diagnosis and testing can be obtained through DPDx or your local health department.
How should I clean up raccoon feces?
You should clean up very carefully. To eliminate eggs, feces and material contaminated with raccoon feces should be removed and burned, buried, or sent to a landfill. Care should be taken to avoid contaminating hands and clothes. The use of gloves and facemask will help prevent cross contamination. Treat feces-soiled decks, patios, and other surfaces with boiling water. Always wash hands well with soap and running water, to help further reduce possible infection.
Is treatment available?
Early treatment might reduce serious damage caused by the infection. Should you suspect you may have ingested raccoon feces, seek immediate medical attention.
How can I prevent infection in myself, my children, or my neighbors?
Avoid direct contact with raccoons — especially their feces. Do not keep, feed, or adopt raccoons as pets! Raccoons are wild animals.
Discourage raccoons from living in and around your home or parks by
preventing access to food
closing off access to attics and basements
keeping sand boxes covered at all times, (becomes a latrine)
removing fish ponds — they eat the fish and drink the water
eliminating all water sources
removing bird feeders
keeping trash containers tightly closed
clearing brush so raccoons are not likely to make a den on your property
Stay away from areas and materials that might be contaminated by raccoon feces. Raccoons typically defecate at the base of or in raised forks of trees, or on raised horizontal surfaces such as fallen logs, stumps, or large rocks. Raccoon feces also can be found on woodpiles, decks, rooftops, and in attics, garages, and haylofts. Feces usually are dark and tubular, have a pungent odor (usually worse than dog or cat feces), and often contain undigested seeds or other food items.
To eliminate eggs, raccoon feces and material contaminated with raccoon feces should be removed carefully and burned, buried, or sent to a landfill. Care should be taken to avoid contaminating hands and clothes. Treat decks, patios, and other surfaces with boiling water or a propane flame-gun. (Exercise proper precautions!) Newly deposited eggs take at least 2-4 weeks to become infective. Prompt removal and destruction of raccoon feces will reduce risk for exposure and possible infection.
Contact your local animal control office for further assistance.
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