Tissue reactions to Cysticercus cellulosae in man

Abstract

1.1. The histological changes in three cases of human cysticercosis, all involving the brain with one involving in addition the heart muscle, the diaphragm, the intercostal and pectoral muscles, are described. 2.2. It is demonstrated that the nature of the tissue reaction is similar in the brain and the other organs and consists in the formation of a capsule of mesenchymal tissue with an inner necrotic zone, a middle fibrous and plasmacytic zone and an outer zone of granulation tissue. With the gradual absorption of the dead parasite the reaction becomes more marked and ultimately a fibrous scar is formed especially in the brain. Calcification of cerebral cysts is not very common. 3.3. In the brain, this mesenchymal capsule is surrounded by an area of gliosis where the nerve cells have undergone degeneration. 4.4. The formation of multiple scars in the brain and the overlying meninges is put forward as the main pathological basis of the nervous symptoms.