Detection of glial fibrillary acidic protein and neurofilaments in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with neurocysticercosis

Parasitol Res. 2003 Jul;90(4):261-3. doi: 10.1007/s00436-003-0850-5. Epub 2003 Mar 12.

Abstract

Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is an infection caused by Taenia solium larval metacestodes in the central nervous system. The glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and neurofilaments (NFs) can be used as markers of glial and neuronal damage, respectively. We studied the GFAP and NFs of 68, 160 and 200 kDa in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with NCC by Western blotting. Our results showed that patients with NCC had significantly elevated GFAP levels in the CSF compared with the control, whereas NFs of 68, 160 and 200 kDa were not detected in the CFS of NCC patients. We concluded that GFAP could be used as a marker of glial damage in the CFS of NCC patients.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Biomarkers / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Blotting, Western
  • Female
  • Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein / cerebrospinal fluid*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Neurocysticercosis / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Neurocysticercosis / diagnosis*
  • Neurofilament Proteins / cerebrospinal fluid*
  • Taenia / growth & development

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein
  • Neurofilament Proteins