Encapsulation

ENCAPSULATION (from the Latin capsula - box, capsule, pouch), also called capsulation, is a term used to denote the proliferation of connective tissue capsule, pouch around various pathological formations, parasites and other bodies that for some reason are not subject to resorption in the normal course. Thus, encapsulation may occur in old abscesses, as well as in caseous masses in tuberculosis and syphilis; one speaks of encapsulated parasites, for example, trichinae, cysticerci, etc. Foreign bodies also undergo encapsulation, for example, metal fragments, bullets that have penetrated into tissue. The development of the capsule itself follows the general principles of development of demarcating (delimiting) inflammation, formation of a belt of granulation tissue, which subsequently transforms into fibrous, scar tissue capsule, pouch; in some cases, the inner layers of this capsule retain the granulation character for a very long time (for example, in encapsulated abscesses), and sometimes (e.g., in encapsulation of parasites, various foreign bodies) - numerous giant cells. Essentially, the processes of encapsulation are processes of organization and healing, however, in a conditional sense of the word, since encapsulated bacteria and parasites, despite considerable (many years) duration of encapsulation, may remain alive and virulent, which presents a danger both for the carrier of the process (e.g., reinfection from an encapsulated abscess, from the primary focus in pulmonary tuberculosis), and for other individuals (for example, infection with trichinosis when consuming meat with encapsulated trichinae). Often in the capsule, as well as in its contents, deposition of lime salts is observed; more rarely in the tissue of the capsule, bone tissue develops in the order of metaplasia, as is often the case with the primary tuberculous affection of the lungs.