Humoral and cellular immune response within the subarachnoid space of patients with neurocysticercosis.

To study the immune response within the subarachnoid space in patients with neurocysticercosis, we measured the cerebrospinal fluid contents of immunoglobulins A, E, G, and M in 38 patients and the contents of the proinflammatory cytokines TNF-alpha, IL-1b, IL-6 and IFN-gamma in 17 patients. The same measurements were made in 30 neurological patients without inflammatory or immune-mediated disorders. Each immunoglobulin and cytokine, including the gender and age of the patient, was compared by multiple regression analysis with the CSF contents of cells, protein and ELISA for cysticercal antigens. A direct correlation was found of IgM with cell content (p < 0.058) and with ELISA values (p < 0.027); of age with protein content (p < 0.006); of IL-6 with protein content (p < 0.018) and of IL-1b with ELISA values (p < 0.004). An inverse correlation was found of glucose with ELISA values (p < 0.008). A complex function of the immune response within the subarachnoid space was observed: mean values of IgG, IgM, IgE and interleukins 1b and 6 were increased, whereas values of IgA, TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma were similar to those of controls.