Dr. Clinton White is a researcher, educator, and clinician revered for his work on neurocysticercosis, cryptosporidium, and other parasitic infections. He serves as the director of the Infectious Disease Division in the Department of Internal Medicine at The University of Texas Medical Branch. His journey into tropical medicine began as a college student, inspired by his faith and the diverse individuals he encountered during his studies. This early interest led him to spend time in India as a medical student, Haiti as a resident, and Venezuela after his fellowship.
Dr. White’s fascination with neurocysticercosis, a brain infection caused by the pork tapeworm Taenia solium, began during rounds at Ben Taub County Hospital in Houston. During his interview for a position there, he encountered a patient with the condition for the first time. After accepting a job at the hospital, he found himself treating an increasing number of cases. Eventually, he co-authored a paper documenting over 100 cases and “by happenstance ended up becoming an expert”1
Today, neurocysticercosis is recognized as the most common helminthic infection of the central nervous system and one of the leading preventable causes of epilepsy worldwide. The infection occurs when humans consume undercooked or raw pork containing larval cysts. These cysts migrate to the small intestine and develop into mature tapeworms, releasing eggs that are excreted in stool, contaminating soil and water. This form of intestinal infection is termed taeniasis. When humans ingest these eggs through contaminated food or water, the eggs can circulate to the brain and hatch, causing neurocysticercosis2. Although data on its prevalence is limited, the disease primarily affects poverty-stricken, rural areas with poor sanitation3
Recognizing the growing burden of neurocysticercosis, particularly in rural regions, Dr. White emphasized the need for a One Health approach to studying zoonotic diseases. As part of a working group on neurocysticercosis, he contributed to publishing management guidelines for the Infectious Disease Society of America, the American Society for Tropical Medicine, and the World Health Organization. Through One Health principles, he played a key role in the effort to eradicate neurocysticercosis in northern Peru. This multifaceted strategy involved treating human cases of neurocysticercosis and intestinal carriers of taeniasis, vaccinating pigs, and collaborating with local officials to enhance health education and improve meat inspection practices. Dr. White remarked, “We could potentially eliminate neurocysticercosis. There are treatments for pigs and humans, and it would be wonderful if those could be scaled up to rid the world of this nasty little worm.”
Currently, Dr. White is involved in several initiatives, including collaborating with the UTMB-Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia Collaborative Research Center in Cusco, Peru, clinical teaching, and conducting clinical trials for cryptosporidium treatment in AIDS patients. He remains committed to education as a tool for advancing tropical medicine and improving global health.
Citations
- Shandera, W. X., White, A. C., Jr, Chen, J. C., Diaz, P., & Armstrong, R. (1994). Neurocysticercosis in Houston, Texas. A report of 112 cases. Medicine, 73(1), 37–52. https://doi.org/10.1097/00005792-199401000-00004
- https://www.cdc.gov/dpdx/cysticercosis/index.html
- WHO guidelines on management of Taenia solium neurocysticercosis. (2021). World Health Organization.