Extraparenchymal human neurocysticercosis induces autoantibodies against brain tubulin and MOG35–55 in cerebral spinal fluid

Neurocysticercosis (NC) presents two broad clinical entities: extraparenchymal (EP-NC) and parenchymal (P-NC). Using ELISA methodology, we demonstrate autoantibodies to tubulin and the Major oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) in the CSF of most, but not all, EP-NC samples. Levels of these autoantibodies were considerably reduced or absent in the P-NC samples. There was a striking correlation between levels of anti-tubulin and anti-MOG, and the significant correlation between the levels of autoantibodies and cellularity in the CSF, suggests that stimulation of the autoantibody response may be a function of cerebral inflammation. A hypothetical model to describe the pathogenesis of EP-NC is presented. [Display omitted] •Autoantibodies to tubulin and MOG were detected by ELISA in CSF from NC patients.•Autoantibodies were present in most EP-NC CSF's but reduced in P-NC cases.•Autoantibodies to tubulin and MOG were strikingly correlated.•Autoantibodies to CSF tubulin and cellularity were significantly correlated.•A hypothetical model for the pathogenesis of EP-NC is presented.