Electroencephalographic changes in rats received antigens of different parasites

J Egypt Soc Parasitol. 1998 Dec;28(3):797-805.

Abstract

The prevalence of epilepsy in developing countries is much higher than in developed ones. Some of the highest prevalence rates in developing countries have been reported from tropical Africa where parasitic infections are endemic. This work was carried out to assess the effect of different parasitic antigens on the activity of cerebral cortex in rats. Nine crude antigens were used: Adult Fasciola, adult S. mansoni, hydatid cyst, T. spiralis, E. histolytica, Acanthamoeba spp. G. lamblia, Cryptosporidium spp. and crude antigen of T. gondii. All the parasitic antigens induced electroencephalographic changes compared with baseline tracings.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens, Helminth / adverse effects*
  • Antigens, Protozoan / adverse effects*
  • Cerebral Cortex / parasitology
  • Cerebral Cortex / physiopathology*
  • Electroencephalography
  • Epilepsy / epidemiology
  • Epilepsy / etiology*
  • Male
  • Parasitic Diseases / complications*
  • Prevalence
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Substances

  • Antigens, Helminth
  • Antigens, Protozoan