Development of an experimental model of neurocysticercosis-induced hydrocephalus. Pilot study

Abstract

PURPOSE: To develop an experimental model of neurocysticercosis-induced hydrocephalus METHODS:There were used 17 rats. Ten animals were inoculated with Taenia crassiceps cysts into the subarachnoid. Five animals were injected with 0.1ml of 25% kaolin (a standard solution for the development of experimental hydrocephalus) and two animals were injected with saline. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to evaluate enlargement of the ventricles after one or three months of inoculation. Volumetric study was used to quantify the ventricle enlargement. RESULTS:Seven of the 10 animals in the cyst group developed hydrocephalus, two of them within one month and five within three months after inoculation. Three of the five animals in the kaolin group had hydrocephalus and none in the saline group. Ventricle volumes were significantly higher in the 3-months MRI cyst subgroup than in the 1-month cyst subgroup. Differences between cyst subgroups and kaolin group did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSION:The developed model may reproduce the human condition of neurocysticercosis-related hydrocephalus, which exhibits a slowly progressive chronic course.

Taenia crassiceps injection into the subarachnoid space of rats simulates radiological and morphological features of racemose neurocysticercosis

“…Mattos-Silva et al [14] reported asymmetrical ventriculomegaly as an anecdotal finding. In our previous pilot study, we achieved hydrocephalus by injecting cysts of Taenia crassiceps into the subarachnoid space of rats but we could not explain whether hydrocephalus was a mere consequence of mechanic obstruction for CSF free flow or whether inflammatory reactions played a role on the CSF flow disturbance [8]. Now, it becomes clear that inflammation has a role in the development of hydrocephalus.…”

“…The methods for parasite maintenance and inoculation were previously described [8]. Briefly, after aseptic removal from the peritoneal cavity of mice, 50 cysts were injected into the cisterns of each rat by suboccipital puncture with a 25G needle.…”

“…The protocol consisted of T2-weighted gradient-echo acquisitions (0.6-mm thickness; T eco = 5 ms; T repetition = 10 ms). Normal parameters of images from sham animals have been presented before [8].…”

“…So, basic studies are needed to better understand the mechanisms underlying racemose neurocysticercosis [7]. Recently, we developed an experimental model of neurocysticercosis-induced hydrocephalus through the direct injection of cysts of Taenia crassiceps into the subarachnoid space of rats [8]. In this new study, we aimed to understand whether hydrocephalus is a consequence of mechanic obstruction of CSF flow or inflammatory reactions in this experimental model.…”

Cerebrospinal Fluid Changes in Experimental Model of Extraparenchymal Neurocysticercosis: preliminary results

“…The majority of the published experiments in NCC are focused on the parenchymal form of the disease. Few models study extraparenchymal NCC or analyze the CSF parameters 5,6,7 .…”