Human neurocysticercosis: IgE in cerebrospinal fluid

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 animmunoenzymatic 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.

Cisticercose humana diagnosticada em hospital geral, Säo Paulo, SP (Brasil) / Human cystercercosis in a general hospital in Säo Paulo, (Brazil)

Foi realizado estudo retrospectivo de pacientes internados no Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Säo Paulo, Säo Paulo (Brasil), no período de 7 anos (1979 a 1985), tendo sido diagnosticados 260 casos de cisticercose, corrrespondendo a 0,2