-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.KEY WORDS: neurocysticercosis, cerebrospinal fluid, IgE, immunoenzymatic assay.
Neurocisticercose humana: IgE no líquido cefalorraquianoRESUMO -A detecção de IgE apresenta dificuldades técnicas pela reduzida concentração que se encontra no LCR e no soro. Utilizando método imunoenzimático com conjugado anti-IgE-fosfatase alcalina e substrato fluorigênico, foram estudadas 86 amostras de LCR de três grupos: A) 29 pacientes com NC, B) 36 pacientes com afecções neurológicas diversas (neurossífilis, neurotuberculose, meningites, tumores, hemorragias) e C) 21 indivíduos de pós-alta médica de meningites bacterianas. Os resultados obtidos foram: A) 0,05 a 3,00 Ul/ml (0,76±0,79), B) 0,00 a 1,50 Ul/ml (0,23±0,34) e C) 0,05 a 1,25 Ul/ml (0,34±0,34). Os resultados obtidos sugerem que a IgE parece ter papel na patogenia da NC e esforços devem ser feitos para padronização de teste para detecção de anticorpos IgE específicos.PALAVRAS-CHAVE: neurocisticercose, líquido cefalorraquidiano, IgE, teste imunoenzimático.Human neurocysticercosis (NC) is caused by the presence of the larval form of Taenia solium, Cysticercus cellulosae, in the central nervous system (CNS) and by the biological parasite-host interactions, leading to severe symptoms and high morbidity and lethality.14 The CNS has been considered to be a privileged site with its own defense system, which usually maintains its integrity even in the presence of systemic infections. The accidental invasion by Taenia solium embryos causes local defense events that have not been fully elucidated. Extracellular changes can be indirectly investigated by the study of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) 7,14 . When parasite degeneration occurs, there is exacerbation of the immune response, with pleocytosis and proteinorrachia related to the intrathecal production of immunoglobulins representing specific antibodies 6 .