Comparison of cellular responses in single- and multiple-lesion neurocysticercosis

Ann Trop Med Parasitol. 1997 Sep;91(6):627-32. doi: 10.1080/00034989760725.

Abstract

Leucocytes from 14 cases of neurocysticercosis who had multiple lesions showed a significantly lower level of chemotaxis than those from healthy controls [with mean (S.D.) movements of 49.86 (15.0) and 89.1 (12.9) microns, respectively; P < 0.05). In contrast, the leucocytes from 14 cases with single lesions had similar chemotactic responses to the controls. Although the level of lymphoproliferation stimulated with phytohaemagglutinin, a measure of T-lymphocyte function, was also considerably less using cells from the multiple-lesion cases than when cells from the single-lesion cases were used, the difference was not statistically significant [0.644 (0.248) of control values v. 0.463 (0.317); P < 0.1]. Flow cytometry indicated that the total numbers of CD4 cells and CD4/CD8 ratios in all blood samples were normal. It therefore appears that, among neurocysticercosis patients, only those with multiple lesions have defective neutrophils and may also have dysfunctional lymphocytes.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Brain Diseases / immunology*
  • Brain Diseases / parasitology
  • CD4 Lymphocyte Count
  • CD4-CD8 Ratio
  • Chemotaxis, Leukocyte
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cysticercosis / diagnostic imaging
  • Cysticercosis / immunology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Cellular / immunology
  • Male
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed