[Cerebral cysticercosis. Case report].
The authors present a case of a long course of disseminated cerebral cysticercosis. Diagnosis of cysticercosis was confirmed by serial magnetic resonance examinations.
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The authors present a case of a long course of disseminated cerebral cysticercosis. Diagnosis of cysticercosis was confirmed by serial magnetic resonance examinations.
The dynamics of circulating antigen (CAg) level in sera form patients with cysticercosis before and after albendazole treatment were detected by using monoclonal antibody-based double antibody sandwich ELISA (McAb-ELISA). The results indicate that after the patients with cysticercosis had been treated for one, two and three treatment courses, the levels of CAg in sera decreased with the increase in the number of treatment courses, their average OD value dropped from 0.499 before treatment to 0.291, 0.073 and 0.051 after treatment, respectively, and the corresponding negative conversion rates of CAg detection were 20.0%, 57.9% and 87.5%, respectively. Sera from eight patients who had received three courses of albendazole treatment were detected for CAg and CAb before and after treatment. The results indicate that the CAb level dropped rather slowly after three courses of treatment as compared to CAg level. It is concluded that detecting circulating antigen might be used as a promising method for evaluating the drug efficacy.
We describe the cloning and the evaluation of the protective capacity of 5 recombinant antigens expressed during the cysticercus stage of both Taenia crassiceps and Taenia solium. A cDNA library was constructed in bacteriophage lambda ZAP using mRNA isolated from larvae of T. crassiceps of the ORF strain. The recombinant phage library was screened with polyclonal antibodies against 56- and 74-kDa protective antigen fractions. This screening identified 13 recombinant clones, 5 of which were also strongly recognized by pooled sera from pigs experimentally infected with T. solium. The native antigens are proteins of 56 (clones KETcl, 4, 7) and 74 and 78 kDa (clones KETc11, 12) of T. crassiceps cysticerci. Vaccination experiments using these 5 recombinant clones against murine cysticercosis point to the relevance of KETcl, 4, 7, and 12 in host protection, whereas immunization with the clone KETc11 does not modify the parasite load in females and facilitates the parasitosis in males. We report here the DNA and the deduced amino acid sequence (100 amino acids) of the first protective antigen (KETc7) of potential interest for T. solium pig cysticercosis prevention.
Serological tests for the immunodiagnosis of human cysticercosis (an indirect ELISA test) and for the detection of Taenia solium antigen(s) in liquor samples (a sandwich ELISA test) have been developed using a heterologous antigen from the cyst fluid of T. hydatigena. Antibodies to T. solium were detected in 20 Italian subjects out of 113 with cerebral lesions of unknown etiology, and T. solium antigen(s) were detected in three of them, from 1991 to 1994. Case history of the positive patients showed that 17 of them probably acquired the infection in Italy. These results point out that cysticercosis is still present in Italy, and physicians have to consider this helminthic infection in a differential diagnosis.
A patient with orbital cysticercosis is being presented, where albendazole therapy was successfully used. Serial CT scans of the lesions showed definite signs of resolution. The role of albendazole therapy in cysticercosis has been discussed. The relevant literature has been reviewed in brief.
OBJECTIVE: To study the intellectual status of patients with cerebral cysticercosis with dementia evaluation scale. METHODS: The intellectual status of 112 patients with cerebral cysticercosis was studied with Hasagawa dementia evaluation scale and that of 30 patients with event related potential of P 300. RESULTS: In the patientsl, 50.9% suffered from mental dysfunction. Among them 11.6% had severe abnormality, 13.4% moderate, and 25.9% mild. Hypertension, epileptic attack and improper medication may cause intellectual dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS: Protection of mental function should be considered when chosing the treatment for better recovery of the patients. Hypertension, epileptic attack and improper medication may cause intellectual dysfunction.
In early stages of experimental murine cysticercosis caused by Taenia crassiceps, there is a clear but transient Th1-type immune response (characterized by high levels of interleukin [IL]-2, interferon-gamma, concanavalin A, and antigen specific response, delayed-type hypersensitivity, and immunoglobulin [Ig]G2a antibodies) that associates with a low rate of parasite reproduction. As time of infection progresses an energic and more permanent Th2-type response follows (characterized by high levels of IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IgG2b, and IgG1 antibodies) that in turn associates with an increment in the rate of parasite reproduction. The sequential activation of Th1-type and Th2-type responses in murine cysticercosis would appear to favor progressively parasite reproduction, explaining the long time residence and the massive parasite intensity reached in chronic infections.
Two antigens of Cysticercus cellulosae, cystic fluid antigen (CFA) and the culture medium antigen (CMA), were used in Avidin-Biotin Peroxdase Complex-ELISA (ABC-ELISA) to detect IgG antibodies in 45 cases of cysticercosis treated with praziquantel. The results revealed the total positive rates as 51.11% with CMA and 82.22% with CFA. The positive rates in the cases treated within 2 courses of treatment were 79.17% for CMA and 87.50% for CFA, and only 19.05% for CMA and 71.43% for CFA in the cases treated for more then 3 courses. The fact that the positive rates decreased as the courses of treatment increased showed that the sensitivity of CMA might be related to the vital conditions of the worms in the body, whether alive or dead. It is, therefore, recommended that CMA has the potential to be employed in ABC-ELISA both as an indicator for diagnosing cysticercosis and as a reference for the evaluation of the treatment.
Cysticercosis, the consequence of ingesting viable eggs of the porcine tapeworm Taenia solium, currently remains one of the most common human parasitic conditions worldwide. Although preventable by the proper disposal of human wastes, cysticercosis of the central nervous system (neurocysticercosis) accounts for a substantial proportion of cases of epilepsy and hydrocephalus among children and adults in many developing countries. Cases also occur in nonendemic regions, reflecting patterns of immigration from highly endemic countries, especially Mexico and other areas of Latin America. Antiparasitic treatment during active infections, using albendazole or praziquantel, can eradicate the parasite, may lower the risk of late complications, and potentially reduces the morbidity of acute disease. Considerable controversy persists regarding the role of antiparasitic therapy in neurocysticercosis, however. Persons with active parenchymal or extraparenchymal disease, defined by the neuroradiographic appearance of lesions, can be treated with albendazole, 15 mg/kg/d divided into two daily doses for 8 days. Patients with parenchymal disease who do not respond to albendazole can receive a second course of albendazole or praziquantel, 50 mg/kg/d divided into three daily doses for 15 days. Concurrent administration of dexamethasone in standard doses is usually required during the first several days of antiparasitic therapy to minimize the inflammation and cerebral edema associated with death of the parasites. Patients with intraventricular cysts and hydrocephalus require shunting and surgical removal of cysticerci. By contrast, persons with inactive lesions and seizures as a consequence of remote infections typically require only symptomatic therapy with standard anticonvulsants.
Cysticercosis and echinococcosis cause illness and productivity losses in human and agricultural animal populations. Recent studies suggest that these diseases have large societal impacts on endemic areas. Estimates of burden provide essential, evidence-based data for conducting cost-benefit and cost-utility analyses that will secure political will, and financial and technical resources. To evaluate the burden, the monetary and non-monetary impacts of these zoonoses on human health, agriculture and society must be considered comprehensively. In this article, we review the framework used to assess the burden of cysticercosis and echinococcosis, and the data needed to estimate the extent of the problem for societies.
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Hydrocephalus is a frequent and potentially serious complication of neurocysticercosis. Its treatment often requires ventricular shunting. The complication rate is high due to obstruction or material infection, which may justify endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV). OBSERVATION: We report a case of obstructive hydrocephalus in a 46-year-old man in the context of racemose cysticercosis, presenting with headaches and transient disorders of consciousness. Imaging showed cystic lesions of the cisterna magna, responsible for hydrocephalus which was treated effectively by ETV. Treatment with albendazole decreased the volume of the cisterna magna cysts. RESULTS: The patient was followed for 6 years after ETV with no recurrence of hydrocephalus despite two more symptomatic episodes of the disease with extension of the cysts into the lumen of the fourth ventricle and into the perispinal subarachnoid spaces, effectively treated by albendazole each time. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of obstructive hydrocephalus secondary to cerebral racemose cysticercosis by ETV seems to be an effective and safety technique. The role of ETV should be evaluated in this indication.
Historically, neurocysticercosis (NCC) caused by the larval stage, cysticercus or cysticerci, of the pork tapeworm Taenia solium was recognized in Paniai District, western Irian Jaya Province, Indonesia, in the early 1970s. In the 1990s, we observed a rapid increase in the number of cases of epileptic seizures and burns in Assologaima Sub-District, Jayawijaya District, eastern Irian Jaya. There were totals of 1120 new cases of burns and 293 new cases of epileptic seizures during 1991-95 in Assologaima where the number of inhabitants was 15,939. Histopathological examination of resected cysts from patients and a pig revealed that they were cysticerci of T. solium. DNA analysis of these cysts revealed that the nucleotide sequences of 391 base-pair fragments of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene were exactly the same in those from patients and the pig. Although 3 of 391 base-pair fragments might differ from that of T. solium reported previously, there were no differences in the amino-acid sequences. Approximately 67% and 65% of persons with epileptic seizures and with subcutaneous nodules, respectively, showed antibody responses highly specific to cysticercosis. Therefore, most cases of epileptic seizures and burns were considered to be associated with cysticercosis in Irian Jaya.
A case of cisternal cysticercosis (racemose type) is presented which was well demonstrated on MRI by intrathecal administration of gadodiamide (gadolinium DTPA-BMD). The cysts appeared as multiple filling defects within an opacified cerebrospinal fluid. The authors believe that this is the first time that cisternal cysticercosis has been demonstrated using this technique.
Spinal intramedullary cysticercosis is rare and usually afflicts adults. We report the case of a 5-year-old Mexican girl with back pain who had a complex thoracic spinal intramedullary mass on magnetic resonance imaging and a positive immunoblot for Taenia solium. Surgery revealed a cystic mass containing a cysticercus. Cysticercosis should be suspected as the cause of an intramedullary spinal mass in a patient from an endemic area.
Cerebral cysticercosis by Taenia crassiceps was diagnosed in an adult female domestic shorthair cat. The animal was euthanized 6 weeks after the initial presentation with signs of vomiting, lethargy, and ataxia. The disease took an intermittent relapsing course with the neurological signs progressing eventually to recumbancy and coma. At necropsy, numerous cysticerci were found in the dilated left lateral ventricle and the adjacent brain parenchyma. The cysticerci were identified as metacestodes of T. crassiceps larvae based on size and morphology of the cysts; shape, number, and size of the rostellar hooks; and mode of proliferation, including endogenous and exogenous budding. Cerebral cysticercosis by T. crassiceps is rare in atypical intermediate hosts and has not been described in cats.
Cysticercosis is an endemic condition in many developing countries. Although it is the most common parasitic disease of the central nervous system, cysticercal involvement of the spinal cord is rare. It may occur as intradural extramedullary, intramedullary, intramedullary associated with intradural-extramedullary or as the vertebral presentation. We report the case of a 53-year-old woman who presented with low back pain of acute onset and no other symptoms. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed an intramedullary cyst of the conus medullaris region which, at pathological examination, was diagnosed as a cysticercal cyst. She refused anticysticercal agents and steroids postoperatively. After an eight-year follow-up, the patient performs the activities of her daily living with no difficulties, and annual spinal MRIs show no residual signs of the disease. Clinical, pathophysiological, diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of spinal cord intramedullary cysticercosis are discussed.
The geographic distribution of case registered in the System of Hospital Information of Ceará (1996-2004) and its relation with flock swine and availability of computerized tomography scan in patients' residence city, from those were studied. 424 Patients were admitted with cysticercosis (neurocysticercosis 98.3%) originating from 75 cities. No relation existed between computerized tomography in city of residence or swine flocks and cysticercosis prevelance.
Cysticercosis is the most common parasitic infection of the central nervous system. It infrequently affects the spine, but when it does, it can present with symptoms similar to other more common spinal diseases. The authors present a case of isolated intramedullary cysticercosis of the cervical spine and review the literature.