Human neurocysticercosis. IgE in cerebrospinal fluid

• Published in: Arquivos de neuro-psiquiatria 1997, Vol.55 (1), p.8-11
• Main Authors: De Melo, C S, Vaz, A J, Nakamura, P M, Da Silva, M V, Machado, A de B
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Central Nervous System Diseases - cerebrospinal fluid; Central Nervous System Diseases - immunology; Central Nervous System Diseases - parasitology; Cysticercosis - cerebrospinal fluid; Cysticercosis - immunology; Humans; Immunoglobulin E - cerebrospinal fluid; NEUROSCIENCES; PSYCHIATRY
• ISSN: 0004-282X; 1678-4227; 0004-282X
• DOI: 10.1590/s0004-282x1997000100002

The detection of IgE is technically difficult because of its reduced concentrations in serum, and even lower concentrations in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). In the present investigation we studied 86 CSF samples using an immunoenzymatic method with an anti-IgE-alkaline phosphatase conjugate and a fluorigenic substrate. The samples were from three groups: A) 29 patients with neurocysticercosis (NC), B) 36 patients with different neurologic disorders (neurosyphilis, neurotuberculosis, meningitis, tumors, hemorrhage) and C) 21 discharged individuals who had been hospitalized for bacterial meningitis. The results obtained were: A) 0.05 to 3.00 IU/ml (0.76 +/- 0.79), B) 0.00 to 1.50 IU/ml (0.23 +/- 0.34) and C) 0.05 to 1.25 IU/ml (0.34 +/- 0.34). The present results suggest that IgE appears to play a role in the pathogeny of NC and that efforts should be made to standardize a test for the detection of specific IgE antibodies.