Incluye bibliografía

The section on biology of cysticerci contains 9 papers covering: host-parasite interface in the metacestode of T. solium; cholinesterases of C. cellulosae; a study of the collagen of C. cellulosae; biochemical and immunological characterization of antigen B purified from cysticerci of T. solium; fibronectin-like properties of antigen B from cysticerci of T. solium; the use of cell-free systems for the characterization of C. cellulosae antigens; in vitro culture of cysticerci: an aid to investigations of morphological development and host-parasite relationships; in vitro study of the early transition of T. solium from metacestode to adult; calcification of the cysticerci of T. solium in the human brain. The discussion following this session dealt with the inflammatory response surrounding the parasite; the acetylcholinesterase, collagen, and antigen B content of T. solium cysticerci; cell-free systems for the translation of cysticercal mRNA; and in vitro culture of taeniids. The need to improve the diagnosis of T. solium infections was emphasized in relation to establishing an adequate experimental model for research, and for controlling the disease. The section on immune response of the host includes 7 papers covering: antigens of taeniid cestodes; passive immunization in cysticercosis and characterization of antibodies concerned; immunology of human neurocysticercosis; cellular immunity in cysticercosis; genetic variation in resistance of mice to T. taeniaeformis; modulation of the host response; and modulation of the host immune response by larvae of T. crassiceps. The discussion of this section covered: immunity against Taenia larvae; immunodeficiencies associated with asymptomatic cysticercotic patients; mitogenic effects of an extract from T. solium cysticerci; hybridomas for immunodiagnosis and for prevention of cysticercosis; genetic factors in the outcome of the infection; and IgE potentiation by cysticerci. It was considered that: research on the immunology of cysticercosis should focus primarily on the role of non-immunological factors and the various immunological mechanisms of the host in the outcome of the disease; and that immunity against cysticercosis is acquired mainly through antibodies but that other immunological mechanisms related to protection and evasion are being found. Inglés