Contribuição das quimiocinas no diagnóstico da mielorradiculopatia esquistossomótica

Abstract

Schistosomal myeloradiculopathy (SMR) is the most common neurological form of Schistosoma mansoni infection. This study evaluates the expression of chemokines and cytokines in serum and cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) in SMR by ELISA and defines markers ofneuroschistosomiasis. Fifteen patients with a new diagnosis of SMR entered the study. For serum studies, 10 age-matched healthy volunteers and 20 patients with schistosomiasis but no neurological involvement were recruited. CSF was also collected from five patients withHTLV-1 associated myelopathy or tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) and ten controls. Chemokines and cytokines in serum and CSF of schistosomiasis patients and controls were measured using ELISA for IL-4 and IL-13, CCL2, CCL3, CCL11, CCL24 and CXCL10.SMR patients who had detectable levels of IL-13 in CSF were greater than controls. All groups of schistosomiasis patients had increased levels of serum CCL11 and CCL24. CSF concentrations of CCL2 and CXCL10 were similar in controls and SMR, but CXCL10 was increased in HAM/TSP patients. High serum levels of CCL11 and CCL24 combined with detectable CSF levels of IL-13 and low CSF levels of CCL2 and CXCL10 favor the diagnosis of neuroschistosomiasis.