Revista de histología molecular y fisiología médica

Histopathology of the Human Brain in Neurocysticercosis

Abstract

Ericson Dametto

Background: Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is a common parasitic disease of the Central Nervous System (CNS) caused by larval stages of Taenia solium (TS). It is an important cause of epilepsy, as well as sensory and motor deficits. NCC’s pathology relates to immunological and inflammatory interactions between host and parasite.
Methods: In human brain, the larval stage of TS and surrounding nervous tissue were evaluated by immunohistochemistry using anti-CD3, anti-CD20, anti-CD68, Masson’s trichrome, and hematoxylin eosin. Photography registered histological details.
Results: The microscopy of NCC’s lesions presents fibrosis, gliosis, perivascular infiltrate, edema, vascular changes, granulomatosis, and calcification. The cyst’s microscopy allows identifying capsule with microvilli and osmotic canaliculli, as well as parasite head with filaments and muscular structures. Immunohistochemistry demonstrates cells responsible for antigen-antibody reactions and wound-repair.
Conclusion: Abnormalities in the nervous tissue and parasite characteristics permit diagnosis and explain pathologic mechanisms within NCC’s lesion, particularly chronic inflammation. The protection of neurons recruits chemical mediators, immunological cells (lymphocytes, plasma cells, macrophages) and wound-repair cells (fibroblasts, giant cells, epithelioid cells and glial cells).