Cellular immune response and Th1/Th2 cytokines in human neurocysticercosis: Lack of immune suppression

Some reports have suggested that human neurocysticercosis (NCC) induces imm unosuppression. To test this hypothesis, we performed a study on active cas es of NCC who had not received cestocidal or immunosuppressive treatments. We examined blood counts and specific T cell markers (CD3, CD4, and CD8) by flow cytometry and found no differences between patients with NCC and heal thy individuals. Both groups responded to concanavalin A (Con A), and patie nts with NCC responded more to a parasite crude antigen than uninfected ind ividuals. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were examined for interleukin (IL)-2, interferon-gamma, IL-10, and IL-4 mRNA. Regardless of infection sta tus, more than 60% of individuals synthesized IL-2 mRNA and, less frequentl y, the other cytokines. These data suggest that immunosuppression does not occur in NCC patients.