Eosinophil recruitment and activation in the central nervous system of patients with subarachnoid neurocysticercosis

Eosinophil granule proteins (EGPs - ECP, EDN, and EPO), markers of eosinophil activation, were elevated in the CSF of SANCC patients compared to controls. Moreover, the eosinophil-associated cytokines/chemokines IL-5, IL-13, IL-18, CCL24/eotaxin-2, and CCL26/eotaxin-3 were also significantly elevated in the CSF of SANCC patients compared to controls. In those for whom there were paired specimens (n = 13) from baseline and following cure, there was a significant reduction in these cytokines/chemokines (except CCL26/eotaxin-3). The percentage of CSF white blood cells that were eosinophils was positively correlated with EDN, EPO, IL-5, IL-13, CCL24, CCL26, CCL8, CCL13, and CCL5/RANTES, as well as the time it took to achieve biomarker cure. When SANCC patients were subdivided between those with severe disease and those with non-severe disease, the levels of eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), the CCR3 ligands (CCL7 and CCL5), CCL4, IL-18, and IL-1RA discriminated clearly between these 2 groups. DISCUSSION: These data provide evidence for eosinophil recruitment and activation in the subarachnoid space in patients with SANCC, as well as for a potential role of eosinophils in driving inflammation-associated complications.