A histopathological study on porcine cysticercosis

Shin, Tae-kyun; Kim, Seung-ho

Korean Journal of Veterinary Research 1993;33(3):465-469.

Tae-kyun Shin, Seung-ho Kim

Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Agriculture, Cheju National University

돼지 유구낭미충증의 병리조직학적 관찰

신태균, 김승호

제주대학교 농과대학 수의학과

Abstract

This paper dealt with the histopathological findings on the natural cysticercosis in pigs. Three cases of porcine cysticercosis, which had been kept in the Department of Veterinary Medicine, Cheju. University more than ten years, were histopathologically examined in order to see the host reaction to the parasite. Capsules containing scolex were mainly found in the fascia of skeletal muscle, heart, and brains. Microscopically, cysticerci in the epicardium and the fascia of skeletal muscles were encapsulated with fibroblasts and collagen fibers. Around capsules, there was infiltration of eosinophils, lymphocytes and macrophages, although the degree and severity of inflammatory reaction varied case by case. Cerebral cortex also had the inflammatory exudate of lymphoid cells in the vicinity of the scolex. whereas perivascular lymphocytic cuffings were commonly seen around capsules. GFAP immunoreactive fibers formed a limiting membrane along the outer side of capsules. There was also proliferation of GFAP-positive astrocytes encirling infiltrating lymphocytes around vessels. In the central nervous system, astrocytes and lympoid cells play an important role in the demarcation of cysts and local immunity, respectively. In conclusion, host tissue reaction in porcine cysticercosis seemed to vary significantly according to the affected organs of pigs. It is assumed that capsules containing worms seemed to be formed at early stage of cysticercosis.

Key Words: cysticercosis, taenia solium, heart, skeletal muscle, brain, astrocyte