Intrathecal cytokines in spinal cord schistosomiasis

We investigate the cytokine profile in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum of patients with spinal cord schistosomiasis (SCS). Increased levels of IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6 and IL-10 and low concentrations of TNF-α and IFN-γ were observed in both CSF and serum. CSF showed higher levels of IL-4 and IL-6 when compared to the paired serum samples. A negative correlation between the concentrations of IL-10 and IFN-γ was observed in the CSF. These findings suggest an inflammatory as well as a skewed type-2 immune response that probably occur both locally and systemically and may be involved in the pathogenesis of SCS.