Research Articles

Interleukin levels in cerebrospinal fluid from children with neurocysticercosis

No information about the levels of pro-inflammatory interleukins has been described in children with neurocysticercosis (NCC). The levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin (IL)-5, IL-6, and IL-12 in the cerebrospinal fluid from children with NCC were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Twelve children with NCC, six with active and six with inactive disease, and six children without NCC were studied. TNF-alpha was undetectable in CSF from controls and five children with inactive NCC, whereas the levels were significantly higher (median 22.1 pg/ml; P = 0.008) in all children with active NCC. Levels of IL-6 were low in active and inactive NCC patients but two subjects with active subarachnoid disease had high levels. IL-5 and IL-12 were not detected. This study shows that high levels of TNF-alpha are present in CSF from children with active NCC. IL-6 levels are higher when infection occurs in the subarachnoid space.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				F. Aguilar-Rebolledo, A. Meza-Lucas, J. Torres, R. Cedillo-Rivera, A. Enciso, R. C. Garcia, O. Munoz, and D. Correa Evaluation of the Enzyme-Linked Immunoelectrotransfer Blot Assay for Diagnosis of Neurocysticercosis in Children J Child Neurol, June 1, 2002; 17(6): 416 - 420. [Abstract] [PDF]