Kinetics of the inflammatory response in subcutaneous cysticercosis induced in mice by Taenia crassiceps.

Abstract

The larval stage of Taenia crassiceps has been used to study human cysticercosis as these larvae have antigenic similarity to the cysticerci of Taenia solium. The aim of this study was to evaluate the histopathological and immunological changes that followed the inoculation of T. crassiceps cysticerci into the subcutaneous tissue of C57BL/6 mice. Microscopically, granulomas formed of neutrophils and macrophages developed at the sites of inoculation. The serum concentration of the cytokine interferon (IFN)-γ increased throughout the course of infection, while the serum concentration of interleukin-4 increased during the period of transition from the initial phase (7-30 days postinoculation [dpi]) to the late phase (60-90 dpi) of infection. Destruction of the parasite therefore appears to be associated with an increase in IFN-γ, suggesting that a type 1 immune response is important in the control of the parasite.