[Plasma cells in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with cerebral cysticercosis]

Abstract

We studied in twenty patients with proven cerebral cysticercosis the presence of plasma cells in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). We found plasma cells in 50 per cent of the patients. All of them had subarachnoid cysticercosis or basal arachnoiditis. The presence of plasma cells was significantly associated to higher protein levels, greater number of inflammatory cells, and higher levels of IgG in the CSF. None of the patients had received medical treatment or steroids prior to the test. These findings suggest a role of plasma cells in the pathogenesis of the cysticercotic disease. The presence of plasma cells in the CSF is part of the immune response against the parasite. We also found that plasma cells are more frequently encountered in the CSF (50 per cent) than eosinophils (20 per cent) in patients with cerebral cysticercosis.