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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Human cysticercosis: a probable case of cerebral cysticercosis with generalized subcutaneous nodular lesions.

A case is reported in Montreal of human cysticercosis in a 44-year-old man who emigrated from Italy in 1956. Numerous subcutaneous nodules were found throughout his body. X-ray of his thighs and chest showed oblong calcific densities measuring 1 x 0.5 cm in size. Examination of an excised nodule from the right biceps revealed a cysticercus larva morphologically similar to Cysticercus cellulosae although the scolex lacked hooks. On the basis of the intensity of infection, focal and generalized epileptic seizures, changes in the CSF, and well demarcated lucencies observed in brain scan, cerebral cysticercosis was considered the most likely diagnosis.

Adult

[Observations on the extensity and intensity of cysticercosis in cattle in the Peoples Republic of Poland. Report given during the IVth symposium of the GDR on "Taeniarhynchosis-Cysticercosis" on April 26th, 1974 in Schwerin].

The bladder worm of cattle, Cysticercus bovis is found all over the world with a tendency towards a constant increase in incidence. An account of long term investigation in cattle, older than three months, being carried out in slaughter houses in a variety of towns and districts in Poland. This gradual increase was also observed in a rise from 0.32% to 0.67% in the disease as the average within the country. According to the trend of events of the infection it was possible to distinguish five groups with a variable course of parasitosis. Details are given for the difference of occurrence. Although there is little knowledge of public health intensive measures are taken in many parts of the country to combat this parasite and to ensure the health of the population of the country.

Age Factors

[The positivity index of the immunoenzyme reaction (ELISA) for cysticercosis in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and in the serum of epilepsy patients].

Fifty patients with epilepsy seen in three Londrina Neurological Services, in Paraná, were studied. The positivity prevalence of the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for cysticercosis in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and in the serum of these patients was 34.0% and 20.0%, respectively. There was statistically significant difference when these two rates were compared with the reaction positivity in the CSF and the serum in the control group, formed by individuals without neurological diseases. There was no association between the type of seizure (generalized or partial) and the positivity index of ELISA for cysticercosis in the CSF. A greater number of patients with positive ELISA for cysticercosis in the rural area dwellers was found, in relation with the urban area dwellers. From the obtained results in our study we came to the following conclusions: 1. The high positivity ELISA rates for cysticercosis in the CSF and in the patients serum with epilepsy indicate that neurocysticercosis is an important seizure cause in Londrina, PR. 2. The positivity prevalence of ELISA for cysticercosis in CSF was greater in epileptic patients from the rural area than the ones from the urban area. 3. There was no association between the type seizure (generalized or partial) and the ELISA cysticercosis positivity rate in the CSF. 4. The high positivity prevalence of ELISA in the CSF and in the epileptic patients serum in Londrina indicates the priority of performing epidemiologic inquiry to establish the real cysticercosis prevalence in the city. ELISA may be used with this finality due to its high sensibility, its low cost and its simple performance.

Adolescent

[Cystic oligodendroglioma and positivity of reactions for cysticercosis: report of a case].

A case of a 32-year old male patient with complaints of frontal headache progressive decrease in visual acuity, altered behaviour, and positive results of immunological tests for cysticercosis performed on the cystic and cerebrospinal fluids is presented. After several clinical and surgical proceedings, the frontal craniotomy was indicated and a multi-lobulated cystic tumor was excised. Biopsy material revealed an oligodendroglioma invading the degenerated membrane of cystic wall. Some aspects related to the possible mechanisms involved in the association of oligodendroglioma with neurocysticercosis in the presented case are discussed. Three different types of conclusions may be reached: (1) neurocysticercosis may have acted as an oncogenetic factor for the oligodendroglioma; (2) the glycoprotein nature of the antigens of gliomas and cysticercosis and the similarity in the molecular weight range of their polypeptides may be responsible for the positivity of the reactions for cysticercosis in the cystic fluid; or (3) the association of oligodendroglioma with cysticercosis may be a simple coincidence. The present study strengthens the opinion that other pathologies should be looked for when clinical treatment of cysticercosis does not follow the expected course.

Adult

[Cerebrospinal fluid in cysticercosis of the brain].

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) changes in brain cysticercosis have long been known. Its characteristic features are a mild or moderate pleocytosis with eosinophils, a slight or moderate protein increase with an elevated gammaglobulin concentration, and a positive complement fixation test. Unfortunately all these abnormalities are not always present together and difficulties may be encountered in the diagnosis. This paper presents a study based on the experience acquired in the CSF Laboratory of the Neurological Department of Escola Paulista de Medicina (São Paulo, Brasil) after 35 years' work, and 120.000 CSF specimens examined. The material consists of 147 cases of brain cysticercosis confirmed by necropsy, surgery, subcutaneous or intraocular cysticercus, x ray of the skull, and of 509 clinical observation with suggestive CSF changes. It is the purpose of this paper to appreciate the importance of each of the CSF tests and to observe the CSF abnormalities during the course of this disease. The results of the study of the 79 cases varified by necropsy or surgery showed that the characteristic CSF changes that make the diagnosis of brain cysticercosis were observed in 54 percent of the cases. The eosinophils were present in 82 percent, protein changes in 78 percent, complement fixation test in 70 per cent, hypertension in 55 per cent, and decreased sugar content in 27 per cent of the cases. In two cases the CSF was normal. As the eosinophils and the protein abnormalities may be seen in several other diseases, the complement fixation test for cysticercus should be regarded as the most important CSF test in the diagnosis of brain cysticercosis. The successive CSF specimens withdrawn of 40 patients during the course of this disease have shown that the abnormalities went on for 4 to 18 years observation, suggesting that the parasites were alive. On the contrary, in 11 other cases it was varified the final CSF normalization after 5 to 14 years, suggesting that the parasites were dead. The CSF was normal in 31 out of 42 patients with opaque nodules visible in skull films (calcified cysticercus). In the remaining 11 cases, the characteristic CSF findings were observed in 3, but in 8 cases the only abnormalities were positive complement fixation test or eosinophils. In 14 out of 26 patients with subcutaneous or introacular cysticercus there were the usual CSF changes but in the other remaining cases the CSF was normal. The absence of treatment for brain cysticercosis is consistent with the persistence of CSF abnormalities in the specimens examined during the course of this disease. This calls for an integrated prophylactic to all Latin-American countries in order to exterminate this serious disease for the well-being of the next generation.

Brain Diseases

[Epidemiology of cysticercosis in Peru].

UNLABELLED: To determine the frequency and distribution of cysticercosis in Peru, we have reviewed the post mortem examinations of 12 years in the morgue in Lima (necropsies of persons apparently healthy, who died suddenly for different reasons) and in 11 hospitals: 6 in Lima (5 from adults and 1 from children) and from 5 hospitals from other cities located north and south of the capital. The material includes 50 000 necropsies and in those the frequency of cysticercosis was determined; its geographical distribution by states and regions and the frequency by age and sex. Comparison with other similar studies done in Latin America is made and prevalence determined. Frequency of porcine cysticercosis was determined in 82 452 animals killed in Lima in a 3 years period. CONCLUSIONS: frequency of cysticercosis in Peru's hospitals is 1.15%, while in the morgue, which represents approximately what happens in general population in 0.15%. Prevalence is 450 for 100 000 inhabitants.

Adolescent

Cerebral cysticercosis.

Five patients with cerebral cysticercosis, two within the year preceding the date of this article, were seen at the New York Neurological Institute. The patients presented with mental changes, seizures, and symptoms of increased intracranial pressure, and had a history of having immigrated from an area endemic for cysticercosis. They were found to have parenchymal or intraventricular cysticercosis cysts. The interval from immigration to onset of symptoms was as long as 3 years. Plain radiograms of the skull and soft tissues, ventriculograms, and especially the CT scan, as well as the CSF examination, were useful in making the diagnosis. Surgical removal of an intraventricular cyst was curative in two patients and seizures were controlled with anticonvulsants in the other three.

Adult

[Spinal cord cysticercosis: report of 2 cases, review of the literature, and comments on its pathogeny].

A case of spinal intramedullary cysticercosis in a 13-year-old Brazilian female and a case of spinal leptomeningeal infestation by cysticercosis in a 51 year-old Brazilian female are presented. A review of 95 published cases of medullar cysticercosis since 1856 shows the incidence of this condition. Extramedullary forms are explained by the downward migration of larvae from the cerebral to the spinal subarachnoid space and most larvae are expected to be stopped in the upper portions of the spinal canal due to peculiarities of the anatomy of the spinal cord.

Adolescent

Meningeal cysticercosis diagnosed in Western Australia.

Two cases of the relatively unusual meningeal form of intracranial cysticercosis are described in adult Italian immigrants to Western Australia. Each presented solely with raised intracranial pressure caused by communicating hydrocephalus in association with chronic meningitis, characterized by a very low cerebrospinal fluid glucose level. The diagnosis was confirmed histologically on tissue obtained fortuitously at lumbar puncture. These cases draw attention to the epidemiological implications of cysticercosis in the Australian scene. As well, they demonstrate that repeated cerebrospinal fluid analysis may result in diagnostic confirmation of intracerebral cysticercosis of the racemose type.

Adult

[Subcutaneous cysticercosis. 8 cases in children].

Observations in eight patients with subcutaneous or submucous cysticercosis studied at the "Hospital del Nino, IMAN", between November 1970 and June 1975 are reported; the age of the patients varied between 4 and 14 years; six of them were females and 2 were males. One of the patients was found to have C. cellulosae in the central nervous system as well. In the presence of subcutaneous and submucous nodules, cysticercosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis, and anatomic and histopathological documentation should be sought; in cases in which cysticercosis is verified, the patient should be carefully studied, to rule out the presence of C. cellulosae in other locations, mainly the central nervous system.

Adolescent

[Cysticercosis in the province of Kayanza (Burundi)].

Prompted by the diagnosis of two cases of cysticercosis in patients from the same province of Burundi, we conducted a study in this area to determine the cysticercosis incidence rate in this area of Burundi. Patients having presented with more than two convulsive seizures were studied. All of them usually eat pork. Diagnosis was established with the 3 following criteria: positive ELISA reaction in blood and/or CSF; presence of cystercus in subcutaneous node. Cysticercosis was diagnosed in 40 of the 98 investigated patients, 25 presenting a neurocysticercosis.

Animals

Orbital cysticercosis.

Orbital cysticercosis is a rare condition. We report here 3 cases with orbital cysticercosis who presented with proptosis and ptosis (Case no. 1 and 2) and focal seizures (Case no. 3). All of them had a vision of 6/6. Diagnosis of cysticercosis was made on CT Scan. The lesions isolated in Cases 1 and 2 and were excised. Drug therapy was given to treat any persisting infestation. Case no 3 had multiple brain cysticerci in addition to the orbital one. However, the patient was lost to follow-up.

Adolescent

[Cysticercosis in Madagascar: diagnostic and therapeutic improvement].

Human cysticercosis is linked to infection by the larval stage of Taenia solium: Cysticercus cellulosae and was identified in Madagascar since 1901. Neurocysticercosis constitute, when parasite is localized in cerebral vesicles, a disease with important neurologic symptoms: epilepsia, spasms... This disease would be diagnosed before parasite calcification and this diagnosis permit Praziquantel treatment indication, with good results in many cases. We have developed cysticercosis diagnosis permitting: stage definition of the disease: Elisa and Western Blot tests, therapeutic following by enzyme immunoassay capture of serum cysticercosis antigens. We have observed: disease prevalence of 18% proving high rate of circulating parasite, in the countries studies, significative variation of circulating antigens and/or antibodies, one month after one or two Praziquantel treatment, in 82% of 130 patients. This disease seems to be important in Madagascar in neurologic syndromes, but the solution of this problem would result in prophylactic and concerted actions by public health means.

Adolescent

[Human cysticercosis. Four cases. (second part) (author's transl)].

Beside the principal aspects of cysticercosis (see the first part of this article) there are others clinical forms : medullar, ocular, subcutaneous, often associated to cerebral cysticercosis, latent or not. The complemental investigations are numerous, their value is variable. The complemental investigations are numerous, their value is variable. It is often difficult to distinguish cysticercosis from cenurosis. Therapy remains deceitful. Very important and useful are the measures of prevention.

Adult

[Cysticercosis of the brain (author's transl)].

Two cases of cysticercosis of the brain with multilocular parasite infestation are reported. Case 1 showed temporal lobe epilepsy with corresponding EEG and parkinsonism. Pathomorphologically there were parasites in the sylvian fossa and a bilateral necrosis of the pallidum. In case 2 there was a cranial nerve deficit (n.vestibulo-cochlearis) with pronounced vestibular ataxia. Parasite vesicles were surgically removed from the cerebello-pontine angle. Neurohistologically, chronic inflammatory changes were present in the immediate vicinity of the parasite. In both cases there was cysticercosis of the rhomboid fossa and base of the brain (leptomeningitis) with evidence of a process of the posterior cranial fossa. Psychic changes (hysteriform behavioral abnormalities, psychotic episodes and, increasingly, an organic psychosyndrome) were observed particularly in case 1. This case was followed for 11 years on the basis of documented and personal investigations. This report discusses the differential diagnosis and therapy of brain cysticercosis with reference to the two cases and the literature.

Ataxia

Indirect immunofluorescense reaction in cysticercosis.

The indirect immunofluorescence reaction (IIR) was used to investigate cysticercosis in the serum of 604 subjects; control group I, with 100 subjects gave the following results: 2 per cent positive, 3 per cent weak positive and 95 per cent negative. Group II had 35 cases of cysticercosis, showing 94.28 per cent positive, 5.71 per cent weak positive and 0 per cent negative. In group III, with 100 patients, other diseases were studied showing 5 per cent positive, 7 per cent weak positive and 88 per cent negative. Group IV, with 364 cases with possible cysticercosis, showed 48.90 per cent positive, 10.98 per cent weak positive and 40.10 per cent negative. In group V, five cases of Taenia saginata parasitosis were studied showing a weak positive reading.

Adolescent

The immunology of human and animal cysticercosis: a review.

In this review of the literature concerning the immunology of animal and human cysticercosis, emphasis is placed on whether previous exposure to the antigen confers protection to the host. Statistical analysis of the published data indicates that immunized animals have a lower risk than non-immunized animals of contracting cysticercosis, there being large variations within and between different host-cysticercus relationships. There is no indication as to which antigen is best for immunization but, although live parasites in all stages of development, or extracts, appear to give protection, embryos, eggs, and excretions are most frequently used. Antibodies appear to be the principal mediators of resistance, but the action seems to be only upon very young larvae, while fully grown cysticerci are unharmed. Several immunological methods are valuable in the diagnosis of cysticercosis, the choice depending more on the purpose of the study than on differences in their ability to discriminate between healthy and sick. The presence of anticysticercus antibodies in the serum of up to 50% of human patients indicates that human vaccination may be possible in high-risk areas; the remaining patients pose an interesting problem open to speculation and research on immunological evasion, immunodepression, and the existence of serotypes.

Animals