Elevated concentrations of eotaxin and interleukin-5 in human neurocysticercosis.

Symptomatic neurocysticercosis, a major cause of epilepsy worldwide, results from inflammation around Taenia solium larvae, but the mechanisms are unknown. Eotaxin, not previously reported in cases of human infection, and interleukin-5 (IL-5) but not IL-8 concentrations were elevated in patient serum, and IL-5 levels were also elevated in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Eosinophil-selective mediators may be involved in the pathogenesis of cysticercosis. IL-6 concentrations were also elevated in patient CSF, possibly indicative of an acute-phase response.