Anti-brain protein autoantibodies are detectable in extraparenchymal but not parenchymal neurocysticercosis

Neurocysticercosis (NC) presents a spectrum of clinical manifestations, with two broad clinical entities based on the central nervous system location of the parasite: extraparenchymal (EP-NC) and parenchymal (P-NC). In this work, using quantitative immunoblot methodology, we demonstrate the presence of autoantibodies to brain proteins in CSF from EP-NC, but not P-NC, patients. There was striking correlation between the level of autoantibodies and the levels of the secreted metacestode glycoprotein HP-10, suggesting that the level of stimulation of the autoantibody response may be a function of the number of viable parasites. Nine corresponding proteins autoantigens were provisionally identified by mass spectroscopy. [Display omitted] •Autoantibodies in the CSF from NC patients were detected by quantitative immunoblot.•Autoantibodies are present in the CSF from cases with extraparenchymal NC.•Autoantibody and secreted glycoprotein HP10 levels were strikingly correlated.•Nine corresponding autoantigens were provisionally identified by mass spectroscopy.•Autoantibodies are highly reduced in the CSF from cases with parenchymal NC.