Cellular immune responses in human neurocysticercosis

Studies on the role of cell-mediated immune responses in human neurocystice rcosis (NCC) are lacking. Various cell-mediated immune responses such as ly mphocyte subpopulation, lymphocyte transformation to cysticercus antigens a nd cytokine profile were carried out in NCC patients. Lymphocyte transforma tion assays using larval antigens showed significantly higher H-3-thymidine uptake. Immunophenotyping analysis showed an insignificant increase in B c ells and a decrease in total T cells. However, there was a significant decr ease (P < 0.05) in CD8+ T cells whereas there was no change in other cells like CD4+, HLA-DRS and CD16+/CD56+. Cytokine profile revealed significantly higher (P < 0.01) production of Th1 cytokines (gamma-IFN and IL-2) using c ysticercal antigens as stimulants for peripheral blood mononuclear cells, w hile there was no difference in IL-4 levels between NCC patients and health y controls. The cytokine profile indicated the involvement of Th-l-like res ponses in NCC patients.