Long-Term Neuroimaging Findings in a Murine Model of Human Extraparenchymal Neurocysticercosis

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Mendez, Alejandro ; Fleury, Agnes ; Carrillo-Mezo, Roger ; Hernandez-Aceves, Juan A. ; Mejia-Hernandez, Montserrat ; Villalobos, Nelly ; Hernandez, Marisela ; Bobes, Raul ; Concha, Luis ; Ortiz-Retana, Juan J. ; Romano, Marta ; Hamamoto Filho, Pedro Tadao ; Fragoso, Gladis ; Espinosa-Ceron, Jose Alejandro ; Sciutto, Edda

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: ACS INFECTIOUS DISEASES; v. N/A, p. 8-pg., 2025-08-18.

Resumo

Neurocysticercosis is caused by the establishment of Taenia solium cysticerci in the central nervous system. The extraparenchymal form (ExP-NCC) is the most severe clinical presentation that may remain asymptomatic for years. Current treatment involves cysticidal drugs (albendazole and/or praziquantel) combined with glucocorticoids to manage the associated neuroinflammation; however, only similar to 30% of patients respond effectively. This highlights the need to improve therapeutic strategies. Herein, the experimental murine model of human ExP-NCC was further characterized to improve its usefulness in testing new therapies. In humans, cysts grow slowly in the basal cisterns of the subarachnoid space, and patients become symptomatic years after the infection. Thus, a long-term follow-up was performed by using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with sequences allowing volumetric analysis. MRI confirmed NCC in 77% of infected rats, all exhibiting extraparenchymal localization and persistently elevated levels of HP10, a marker of viable cysticerci. Imaging also enabled precise cyst localization and estimation of the parasite-occupied volume. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 22/03042-5 - Caracterização da resposta inflamatória num modelo experimental de Neurocisticercose Extraparenquimatosa
• Beneficiário: Pedro Tadao Hamamoto Filho
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Projeto Inicial