BackgroundThe ongoing epidemiological transition in Mexico minimizes the relative impact of neurocysticercosis (NC) on public health. However, hard data on the disease frequency are not available.MethodologyAll clinical records from patients admitted in the Instituto Nacional de Neurologia y Neurocirugia (INNN) at Mexico City in 1994 and 2004 were revised. The frequencies of hospitalized NC patients in neurology, neurosurgery and psychiatry services, as well as NC mortality from 1995 through 2009, were retrieved. Statistical analyses were made to evaluate possible significant differences in frequencies of NC patients' admission between 1994 and 2004, and in yearly frequencies of NC patients' hospitalization and death between 1995 and 2009.Principal FindingsNC frequency in INNN is not significantly different in 1994 and 2004. Between these two years, clinical severity of the cases diminished and the proportion of patients living in Mexico City increased. Yearly frequencies of hospitalization in neurology and psychiatry services were stable, while frequencies of hospitalization in neurosurgery service and mortality significantly decreased between 1995 and 2009.ConclusionsOur findings show a stable tendency of hospital cases during the last decade that should encourage to redouble efforts to control this ancient disease.

Introduction: There are few studies regarding the clinical characteristics of Miller Fisher syndrome (MFS) in the Latin-American population. Methods: A retrospective analysis was made of the clinical characteristics, neurophysiology, treatment and prognosis of MFS patients between 1995 and 2005. Results: Nineteen MFS cases were documented, 12 of which did not receive immunosuppressive therapy. In both groups, the mean age was 36 years, 84% were male; onset in spring and fall was also predominant (73%), and antecedents of respiratory disease were found (79%). The mean duration of infectious symptoms was 7 days (1–11 days), and the mean interval between the onset of the infection and neurological symptoms was 7 days (1–30 days). The principal sign of onset was diplopia (63%). The mean delay between the onset of neurological symptoms and the beginning of recovery from ataxia, ophthalmoplegia and areflexia was 10 (1–30 days), 11 (1–30 days) and 14 (4–45 days) days, respectively, and the mean delay of the disappearance of ataxia, ophthalmoplegia and areflexia was 35 (10–121 days), 93 (18–244 days) and 64 (10–650 days) days, respectively. There was no significant difference between the group that received immunosuppression and the one that did not. Discussion: The natural course of MSF is characterized by excellent recovery; there were no differences between the two groups.

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