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[Immunoenzymatic test for the detection of anti-Cysticercus cellulosae antibodies in cerebrospinal fluid of patients with meningitis of unknown etiology].

The enzyme-linked-immunosorbent assay using a new type of support consisting of discs of synthetic fabric-resin (ELISA-d) with antigenic components of Cysticercus cellulosae covalently bound, was employed with the purpose of investigating the presence of specific antibodies to the cysticerci (neurocysticercosis) in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with meningitis without etiological agent determined by the conventional methods. The test was performed in 277 CSF samples (128 children and 149 adults). The mean of optical density values (OD) obtained for 22 CSF normal patients (the diagnostic hyphotesis of meningitis was discarded) was of 0.03. The 44 CSF of patients with meningitis caused by other agents but C. cellulosae, showed OD of 0.05. The cut off determined with these two groups (control group) was 0.13 (OD + 3 SD). The group of 13 CSF of neurocysticercotic meningitis presented OD of 0.41 (0.10 to 0.91). Among the 198 CSF samples of indetermined meningitis, 23 (11.6%) presented OD above the cut off, which suggests the possibility that Cysticercus cellulosae was the etiological agent in this meningitis episode. The ELISA-d test has proved to be efficient for the immunodiagnosis of neurocysticercosis when conducted on CSF samples. The alterations observed in the 23 CSF reactive on ELISA-d were: increased number of lymphomononuclear cells in five, of polymorphonuclear cells in 13 and both cells in five samples.

Adolescent↗

Immunization procedure-related immunoglobulin levels in the development of antibodies against Cysticercus cellulosae.

Various immunization procedures were investigated in an effort to improve the number of hybridomas producing antibodies against Cysticercus cellulosae. Ten groups of 5 BALB/c mice were subjected to different immunization procedures and were bled repeatedly over a period of 68 days. The samples of sera thus obtained were tested by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay: total immunoglobulins, IgG and IgM levels were determined. In general, total anticyst antibody titres increased during the course of immunization but in 3 groups the final titre was lower than the maximal antibody titre. Overall, immune tolerance did not appear to be a problem and longer immunization programs seemed to end with slightly higher antibody levels. So far, 4 mice from the group that exhibited the highest immunoglobulin levels have been used for hybridoma production. Out of 124 hybridomas thus obtained, only 1 secreted antibodies against Cysticercus cellulosae.

Animals↗

[Localization of Cysticercus ovis in experimentally infected lambs].

An experimental infection was induced in lambs with 1000, 4000, 7000, and 30000 T. ovis eggs. It was found for the first time that Cysticercus ovis could be established not only in the already known regions of the body, but also in the skin and the subcutaneous connective tissue. The lesions were followed up in the skin on the 10th, 20th, 30th, and 45th day following infection. Later on the cysticerci localized in the skin caused its total piercing. The skin portions above the cysticerci, localized in the subcutaneous tissue, proved unsuitable to treatment and handling and remained defective. Hides that were obtained from animals infected with Cysticercus ovis were shown to be discarded in the leather and fur industries.

Animals↗

Porphyrin content of the cysticercus of Taenia solium.

The strong red fluorescence of the cysticercus of Taenia solium depends on the presence of several porphyrins in the vesicular fluid of the parasite: probably protoporphyrin IX, coproporphyin I or III, and 2 decarboxylated porphyrins intermediate between uroporphyrin and coproporphyrin. Cyst porphyrins associated to form conglomerates of high molecular weight that dissociated in acid solutions and were not antigenic themselves nor associated with antigenic molecules. An appreciable fraction of the porphyrins was capable of undergoing oxidation and reduction, indicating that some of the porphyrins were complexed with metal ions. The metabolic basis for the accumulation of porphyrins is unknown. Preliminary results suggest that conditions deleterious to the cysticercus cause release of porphyrins so that the appearance of porphyrins in the cerebrospinal fluid of neurocysticercotic patients may prove useful in monitoring therapeutic attacks on the parasite.

Animals↗

[Test of the vitality and infectiousness of the beef tapeworm (Cysticercus bovis)].

The vitality and infectiosity of Cysticercus bovis can be determined by means of a relatively simple in vitro method. Mobility and evagination are 2 parameters for estimating vitality as well as infectiosity. The mobility-evagination-relationship (MER) is an excellent basis for investigating the mobility over 20 h, because 2 parameters are involved. Of special interest was the fact that the first part of MER (after 1 h) is the period for the short-time-test (control of vitality), and the second part of MER (after 18 to 20 h) is the period for the long-time-test (control of infectiosity). Mobility and evagination of metacestodes were tested in activator solution (100 ml physiological saline + 6 ml fresh swine bile) at a temperature of 38 degrees C and a pH of 7.0. This in vitro method may be useful in determining the vitality of fresh and older Cysticercus bovis and of those exposed to smoking.

Animals↗

The isolation, purification, and characterization of the collagen of Cysticercus cellulosae.

Insoluble collagen fibrils were obtained from Cysticercus cellulosae after homogenization and treatment with NaCl/mercaptoethanol solutions and were solubilized after limited pepsin digestion. Solubilized Cysticercus collagen shows two different alpha subunits in sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis with an apparent molecular weight of 100,000 and is readily degraded by bacterial collagenase. The amino acid composition is characteristic of collagen except that it contains no hydroxyproline. Segment long spacing crystallites measuring 280 nm in length were prepared. These segments showed a band pattern different from that of vertebrate and other invertebrate collagens. The denaturation temperature at neutral pH was 35 degrees C and correlated with the total pyrrolidine content as observed for other collagens. An intrinsic viscosity value of 15.3 dl/g was obtained for this collagen. Its possible evolutionary relationship with other collagens is discussed.

Amino Acids↗

Tissue reaction of the skeletal muscles of cattle both to a spontaneous and experimental infection with Cysticercus bovis.

The reaction of the tissues to an infection with Cysticercus bovis was studied on material from cattle with a spontaneous and an experimental infection. The authors examined a total of 232 cysts from the skeletal muscles. A tissue reaction to C. bovis was inflammatory in nature and originated always at the site at which the invaginated scolex opened into the surface. Typical of these changes were the origin of a pseudoepithelial rim and a zone of granulation tissue maturing on the periphery. At a later phase marking the start of necrotic changes in the cysticercus, the inflammation accompanied by exudation started to develop anew. Calcified structures stirred up a giant cell, cleaning up reaction, and cicatrization followed the resorption of the parasite and the exudate. We identified two types of necroses in a tissue reaction to C. bovis: a focal necrosis of the exudate and the inflammatory rim with a subsequent dystrophic calcification, and a focal necrosis and calcification of collagenous fibres and their groups. Necrotic-like foci typical of a reaction to C. bovis were seen in the inflammatory rim. Using specific staining procedures, we succeeded in distinguishing these foci which did not succumb completely to a dystrophic calcification, from concomitantly present necrotic foci.

Animals↗

Immunoreactive antigenic sites of Cysticercus cellulosae relevant to human neurocysticercosis--immunocytochemical localization using human CSF as source of antibody.

With a view to identify the relevant antigens of Cysticercus cellulosae, recognized within human central nervous system, immunocytochemical localization of antigens on the cestode larva has been carried out using cerebrospinal fluid of patients as the source of primary antibody. CSF from nine proven cases of neurocysticercosis, two cases of culture proven tuberculous meningitis and two cases of spinal disc prolapse with no other infective or neurological disorder were used in this study. The CSF from all the cases of neurocysticercosis intensely reacted with the glycocalyx over the integument of the cyst bladder wall. The other structures recognised by the CSF antibodies were cytoplasm of the tegumentary cytons, stroma and the ductular system of the bladder wall. The cells, stroma and calcareous corpuscles of the scolex reacted variably with the CSF. Tegument of the spiral canal and sucker muscles in the scolex were not immunoreactive. We strongly suggest that the glycocalyx is the most antigenic anatomical structure of the Cysticercus cellulosae and the patients develop antibodies to it.

Animals↗

[Preliminary study on monoclonal antibodies against Cysticercus cellulosae].

In order to produce valuable monoclonal antibodies for immunodiagnosis of cysticercosis, hybridoma technique was adopted using the fusion of splenic lymphocytes from BALB/c mice immunized with Cysticercus cellulosae antigens and the myeloma cell line NS-1. Through screening and cloning, three monoclonal antibody cell lines have been established. Immunoglobulin subclasses of 3 lines were determined to be IgG1. These monoclonal antibodies were found to be highly specific and without cross reaction with Echinococcus granulosus hydatid cyst and Cysticercus fasciolasis. Antigen fractions specifically reacting to monoclonal antibodies were demonstrated with Western blot method. The results showed that specific reaction bands of SCW located in 25 kDa and 17 kDa regions.

Animals↗

Multiparametric quantitation of the perilesional region in patients with healed or healing solitary cysticercus granuloma.

The purpose of this study was to compute T2 values and magnetization transfer (MT) ratios in the perilesional region of healing and healed cysticercus granulomas to determine if there are T2 abnormalities not apparent on conventional T2-weighted imaging and to determine the relationship between seizure control and the quantitative measures. Sixty-three patients were studied. T2 values and MT ratios were computed for the perilesional region and were compared with measurements from the contralateral normal-appearing region. A significantly increased T2 value was found for the perilesional region compared to the corresponding contralateral region despite the absence of qualitative abnormality on conventional T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging. For patients showing normal-appearing perilesional regions on MT imaging, there was no significant difference in T2 and MT ratios between the perilesional and the normal contralateral regions. There was a statistically significant inverse correlation between perilesional T2 values and MT ratios, suggesting each was associated with perilesional gliosis. The study illustrates that quantitative evaluation of MT ratios and T2 augments the qualitative visual assessment of the perilesional region in healing or healed cysticercus granulomas.

Adult↗

Comparative study of CT and MRI in patients with seizures and a solitary cerebral cysticercus granuloma.

We hypothesized that when contrast-enhanced CT reveals a solitary cerebral cysticercus granuloma, MRI would not usually provide additional information that might assist in management. We retrospectively compared visualisation of solitary cysticercus granulomas on contrast-enhanced CT and MRI in 16 patients presenting with seizures; gadolinium (Gd) enhancement was used in 6 patients. The granuloma was delineated well on both CT and MRI in 15 patients; in one patient, in whom CT was performed with 10-mm slices, it was seen only on contrast-enhanced MRI, CT and unenhanced MRI revealing only the surrounding oedema. On CT the granuloma was seen best on thin (2-5 mm) contrast-enhanced sections (in 10 patients). On MRI, Gd-enhanced images showed the granuloma best, as a ring-enhancing lesion, in all 6 patients. In the other 10 patients, the granuloma was seen only on T2-weighted images in 8 and on both T1- and T2-weighted images in 2. On T2-weighted images a characteristic low-signal ring with a high-signal centre was seen in 12 patients. Sensitivity of the imaging techniques was: contrast-enhanced CT (5 and 10 mm slices) 93.8% (15/16); thin (2-5 mm) section contrast-enhanced CT 100% (6/6); unenhanced MRI 93.8% (15/16). MRI did not reveal additional granulomas or cysts in any patient. In patients strongly suspected to be harbouring this lesion, when 10-mm contrast-enhanced CT reveals only oedema, thin (2-5 mm) slice CT is a cost-effective alternative to MRI.

Adolescent↗

Cerebellopontine angle cysticercus and concurrent vascular compression in a case of trigeminal neuralgia.

The authors present the case of a 59-year-old woman with an 8 months history of lancinating pain and hyphestesia on the right side of the face along with hearing impairment. She had poor tolerance to carbamazepine. A non-enhancing cystic image was observed at the right cerebellopontine angle on magnetic resonance imaging. The patient underwent surgery. Through a right retromastoid minicraniectomy and under microscopic magnification the VII and VIII cranial nerve complex was found involved by multiple adhesions around a cysticercus. After the cyst was removed a loop of the anteroinferior cerebellar artery was identified compressing the V right nerve at its root entry zone. Decompression was performed by the insertion of a Teflon implant. The postoperative course was uneventful and trigeminal neuralgia (TN) disappeared after surgery. Five previous cases of cranial nerve hyperactive dysfunction syndromes, four of trigeminal neuralgia and one of hemifacial spasm associated to cerebellopontine angle cysticercosis are briefly commented. We suggest that in some of these cases microvascular compression was probably present, and during surgery of cerebellopontine angle cysticercus by either trigeminal neuralgia or hemifacial spasm, vascular compression must be carefully searched and treated when found.

Arteries↗

Role of diffusion weighted imaging in differentiation of intracranial tuberculoma and tuberculous abscess from cysticercus granulomas-a report of more than 100 lesions.

Restricted diffusion is noted in a large number of non-stroke conditions including tuberculoma. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate spectrum of diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) abnormalities in tuberculomas and tuberculous abscess and to distinguish these from degenerating neurocysticercosis. Seventy tuberculomas and tuberculous abscesses in 30 patients were categorized in three groups depending on the intensity in the core of the lesion on T2 weighted images. Mean apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) was calculated from the core as well as from the wall of the lesions. Forty-five lesions of neurocysticercosis in different stage of evolution in 12 patients were also included for comparison. The mean ADC value from the core of the T2 hypointense lesions was significantly higher compared to the wall ((1.24+/-0.32)x10(-3) and (1.06+/-0.15)x10(-3)mm(2)/s, respectively), while mean ADC value from the core of mildly T2 hyperintense lesions was significantly lower compared to the wall ((0.80+/-0.08)x10(-3) and (1.08+/-0.13)x10(-3)mm(2)/s, respectively). Truly T2 hyperintense lesions were divided into two subgroups, tuberculomas and tuberculous abscesses; ADC values from the core and the wall of these lesions were (0.74+/-0.13)x10(-3), (0.61+/-0.08)x10(-3) and (1.03+/-0.14)x10(-3), (1.08+/-0.14)x10(-3)mm(2)/s, respectively, and was significantly lower in core as compared to the wall. However, there was no significant difference between ADC values of the tuberculous abscess and the hyperintense tuberculomas. Vesicular and degenerating stages of cysticercus cysts from the core showed ADC values of (1.66+/-0.29)x10(-3) and (1.51+/-0.23)x10(-3)mm(2)/s, respectively, and were significantly higher than the core of all groups of tuberculomas and tuberculous abscess. We conclude that addition of DWI to routine imaging protocol may help in differentiation of tuberculous lesions from degenerating cysticercus granuloma.

Adult↗

Evaluation of an antigen from Taenia crassiceps cysticercus for the serodiagnosis of neurocysticercosis.

We report here the evaluation of an antigen from Taenia crassiceps cysticercus as a potential reagent in an enzyme-immunoelectrotransfer blotting assay (EITB) and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the serodiagnosis of neurocysticercosis (NC) using clinical specimens obtained from patients in different phases of the disease. Serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from 64 patients suspected of having NC according to clinical manifestation and brain computed tomography were tested by ELISA with Taenia solium total saline antigen (ELISA-Tso) and by immunoblotting with T. crassiceps glycoproteins antigen (EITB-gpTcra). Forty-five serum samples were also tested immunoblotting with T. solium glycoproteins antigen (EITB-gpTso) and 30 were tested by ELISA with T. crassiceps 14 kDa glycoprotein (ELISA-gp14Tcra). Serum samples from apparently healthy individuals without any parasitic disease and from patients with other parasitic diseases were included as controls. The results of ELISA-Tso analysis with CSF obtained from 64 patients with NC showed that 53 (83%) were reactive. EITB-gpTcra analysis with serum from the same group of patients showed a sensitivity of 91%. Results of EITB-gpTso and EITB-gpTcra analysis with serum samples demonstrated an agreement of 100% between both tests. ELISA-gp14Tcra was positive in 23 (77%) sera, 22 with paired CSF positive. When ELISA-gp14Tcra results were compared to EITB-Tso results, a relative sensitivity of 95% was observed. All serum samples from the control group were negative in ELISA-gp14Tcra and only one serum from an individual with Taenia saginata was reactive in this assay, showing a specificity of 99% for ELISA-gp14Tcra. This fraction was purified in only one step with a good yield for use in immunoassays. We suggest that the gp14Tcra antigen can be used for detecting anti-cysticercus antibodies in serum samples for epidemiological investigation purposes and also for diagnostic screening of NC patients.

Animals↗

Short course of prednisolone in Indian patients with solitary cysticercus granuloma and new-onset seizures.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the role of a short course of oral corticosteroids in Indian patients with solitary cysticercus granuloma with seizures. METHODS: In this open-label, randomized, prospective follow-up study, 97 patients with new-onset seizures and a single enhancing computed tomography (CT)-detected lesion of cysticercosis were randomly divided in two groups to receive either antiepileptic monotherapy alone (n = 48) or antiepileptic monotherapy with prednisolone (n = 49). The patients in the latter group received prednisolone, 1 mg/kg/day for 10 days, followed by tapering over next 4 days. The patients were followed up for 6 months. Repeated CT scans were performed after 1 and 6 months. RESULTS: The majority of patients were young. Simple partial seizure, with or without secondary generalization, was the commonest seizure type encountered. Follow-up CT scans at 1 and 6 months demonstrated a significantly better response for prednisolone as far as complete resolution of CT lesion was concerned. Kaplan-Meier analysis suggested significantly less probability of seizure recurrence for prednisolone-treated patients. At 6 months, Kaplan-Meier estimated risk of seizure after first seizure was 2% in prednisolone-treated patients in comparison to 13% for those who were not given prednisolone. CONCLUSIONS: Short-term prednisolone therapy helps in rapid resolution of solitary cysticercus granuloma in Indian patients with new-onset seizures. Resolution of lesions is associated with improved seizure-related prognosis.

Adolescent↗

Lacrimal canalicular obstruction by cysticercus cellulosae.

Ocular adnexal infestation in cysticercosis is unusual. A case of lacrimal canalicular obstruction by cysticercus cellulosae in a 35-year-old female is reported. The diagnosis was established by histopathological examination of the cyst, surgically removed from the above patient with a suspected benign neoplasm in the lacrimal passage. To our knowledge, this is the first case report of lacrimal canalicular obstruction by cysticercus cellulosae.

Adult↗

Seizure outcome in patients with a solitary cerebral cysticercus granuloma.

OBJECTIVE: To study the long-term seizure outcome and determine factors that predict recurrence of seizures following early withdrawal of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) in patients with a solitary cerebral cysticercus granuloma (SCCG). METHODS: The authors prospectively studied 185 patients with SCCG and seizures in whom AEDs were withdrawn soon after (within 2 to 12 weeks) resolution of the SCCG was demonstrated on the CT scan. The follow-up of these patients ranged from 24 to 125 months (mean 65.8 months) or until seizure recurrence. Age, number of seizures, duration of AED therapy, occurrence of breakthrough seizures, administration of albendazole, and presence of a calcific residue of the SCCG on the CT scan were studied as prognostic factors to predict recurrence of seizures. RESULTS: One hundred fifty-seven patients (84.9%) were seizure-free, whereas 28 patients (15.1%) had recurrence of seizures after withdrawal of AEDs. The recurrences occurred at a mean duration of 18.8 months (range 0.5 to 78 months) after withdrawal of AEDs. Multivariate analysis showed that presence of calcific residue on the CT scan, occurrence of breakthrough seizures, and occurrence of more than two seizures were associated with a higher risk of recurrence of seizures. The other factors including administration of albendazole therapy did not affect seizure recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Nearly 85% of patients with a solitary cerebral cysticercus granuloma have a good seizure outcome following resolution of the lesion and early withdrawal of AEDs. However, recurrence of seizures can be expected in about 15% of patients. Patients with more than two seizures, those with breakthrough seizures, and those whose follow-up CT scan shows a calcific residue of the granuloma have a higher risk of recurrence and therefore need to be appropriately cautioned after withdrawal of AEDs. AED therapy might also have to be continued for longer periods in patients with these risk factors.

Adolescent↗

Rate of spontaneous resolution of a solitary cysticercus granuloma in patients with seizures.

The rate of spontaneous resolution of a recently diagnosed solitary cerebral cysticercus granuloma as visualized on CT scan was prospectively studied in 210 patients presenting with seizures. The proportion of granulomas that had resolved completely at different time intervals after the index scan was 18.8% at 3 months, 36.4% at 6 months, and 62.5% at 1 year. There is considerable variation in the natural history of a solitary cysticercus granuloma in a patient presenting with seizures.

Adolescent↗