The histopathology of porcine cysticercosis.

A study describing the tissue reaction caused by the larval stage of Taenia solium in muscles was conducted on samples obtained from 28 infected pigs of different ages and provenance. Lesions were classified according to the severity of the tissue inflammatory response, larval degeneration and replacement by scar tissue in Grades 0-6. Results revealed that of a total of 296 larvae observed, 58 had degenerated, causing a severe granulomatous reaction in the host tissues (Grades 4 and 5) and finally fibrosis (Grade 6). Twenty-eight showed no inflammatory response (Grade 0). Judging from the histological findings, the eosinophil seems to be the determinant cell for the initiation of the destructive process of the larvae of T. solium. The results also suggest that a greater number (P less than 0.01) of degenerated larvae may be found in older pigs.