Immunological and Endocrine Profile of Two Patients with Severe Subarachnoid Neurocysticercosis, Resistant to the Cysticidal Treatment

Neurocysticercosis (NC) is a disease caused by the establishment of Taenia solium larvae in the central nervous system. NC may exhibit different clinical pictures depending on the location of the established cysticerci, their degenerating stage, and the intensity of the immune-inflammatory profile induced by the infection. Moreover, the response to cysticidal treatment is also heterogeneous. When cysticerci establish in the subarachnoid space of the base (SABNC) they are more frequently resistant to the treatment. To further deepen our understanding of this resistant status, the central and peripheral inflammatory and endocrine profiles of two SABNC patients who failed to respond to four treatment cycles (albendazole plus corticosteroids) are herein reported. Several immunological and endocrinological treats were found altered: decreased levels of testosterone, cortisol, and prolactin were observed, accompanied by increased levels of immunomodulatory cytokines (TGF-β and IL-10), as well as LH. Altogether, these results establish the impact of SABNC on the immune-inflammatory and endocrine status of both patients. The possible relevance of these changes in the NC pathogenesis is discussed.