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Cysticercosis is an infectious disease caused by the parasite Taenia solium, which is a pork tapeworm. This parasite invades the central nervous system and causes cysts to form in various parts of the body, including the eyes, muscles, brain, and nervous system. Cysticercosis is a major cause of epileptic seizures, especially in the developing world. Although the prognosis is usually good, cysticercosis can lead to serious consequences, including blindness, brain damage, and heart failure.

The pork tapeworm and the beef tapeworm are similar. They are long, flat, parasites that live in the intestinal tract of some humans. Like the beef tapeworm, the pork tapeworm reaches its human host by passing through poorly cooked meat from pigs.