(L.A.) Krystal Gomez, 28, Died From Natural Causes
Case Number: 2015-00668
Los Angeles County is reporting the death of a 28-year-old Hispanic female that occurred at her residence.
The coroner’s office identified the woman as Krystal Gomez.
Manner of Death: Natural
Cause of Death A: Epilepsy
Cause of Death B: History of Sequelae of Parasitic Brain Infection
RIP KRYSTAL GOMEZ (December 17, 1986 – January 26, 2015)
Formal pronouncement of death was made on Monday at 9:50 a.m.
“Parasitic brain infection” typically refers to infections caused by parasites that can invade the central nervous system. One well-known example is neurocysticercosis, which is caused by the larval stage of the pork tapeworm Taenia solium. This condition can lead to epilepsy. When the parasites form cysts in the brain, they can irritate the surrounding tissue, causing seizures. In fact, in many areas where this infection is common, a lot of people with epilepsy may have it as an underlying cause.
Other parasites that can affect the brain include:
- Toxoplasma gondii: Often found in cat feces, this parasite can cause flu-like symptoms and has been linked to neurological issues, especially in immunocompromised individuals.
- Naegleria fowleri: A free-living amoeba found in warm freshwater that can cause a severe brain infection known as primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), which is usually fatal.
- Acanthamoeba: Another free-living amoeba that can cause granulomatous amoebic encephalitis (GAE), particularly in people with weakened immune systems.
Out of over 160,000 death records made public by the county’s medical examiner since 1999, this appears the only one that mentions a parasitic brain infection, though neurocysticercosis is listed in about half a dozen other cases.
None of the other three parasitic infections enumerated above has been pointed to as a cause of death in the county.