Neurocysticercosis – A Clinicopathological Appraisal

Abstract

Neurocysticercosis is the most common parasitic disease affecting the human central nervous system, with protean clinical manifestations. During the last 17 years, 153 cases of neurocysticercosis were histopathologically diagnosed on surgically resected and autopsied material. Variable number of cysts, from a solitary one to multiple were found invading different parts of the neuraxis (118 cases). These cestode larval forms had a prediliction for locating in the cerebral grey matter (98 cases), followed by subcortical nuclear area (12), cerebral ventricles and subarachnoid cisterns (26 cases). Patients harbouring parenchymal cysts manifested predominantly with seizures and encephalitis (113 cases) whereas those with ventricular and/or cisternal cysts presented with features of chronic meningitis and hydrocephalus. The unusual clinical presentations were psychiatric symptoms with behavioural abnormalities and stroke in the young as a result of cysticercal meningitis with associated arteritis. Primary cysticercal abscess in the brain parenchyma was an interesting pathological feature noted in 3 cases. In the endemic areas, the co-existence of neurocysticercosis appears to enhance the morbidity and mortality due to Japanese encephalitis (31 cases) . The surface glycoprotein of the cysticercal cyst has been identified to be the antigenic component to which the host immune system responds by forming antibody in the CSF. MJAFI 1998; 54: 13-18

Long-segment myelitis, meningoencephalitis, and axonal polyneuropathy in a case of scrub typhus

“…Furthermore, what remains to be explored is whether co-infection with neurocysticercosis and scrub typhus is coincidental price paid for living in the tropics or there is something more to it as in case of Japanese encephalitis and neurocysticercosis co-infection. [25] The surface glycoprotein of the cysticercal cyst may act as an antigen against which the host immune system may respond by forming antibodies, which may worsen the disease in case of scrub typhus as in case of Japanese encephalitis or these two infections may be separate entities. [19]…”

Studies on Limnological Characteristics and Zooplankton Diversity in Durgadahalli and MydalaLakes of Tumakuru, Karnataka State, India

“…It is essential for the survival of all organisms on this earth planet. According to Kudesia and Kudesia (1998) about 97% of earth's water is found in ocean 2% is freeze as ice in poles and remaining 1% is available to us in the form of fresh water in rivers, streams, lakes and ground water and which is used for human beings for their daily needs, irrigation and factories. Biological production in any aquatic body gives direct correlation with its physico-chemi-cal status which can be used as tropic status and fisheries resources potential (Jhingran, 1982).…”