Toll-like Receptor-4 Polymorphisms and Serum Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 in Newly Diagnosed Patients With Calcified Neurocysticercosis and Seizures

We evaluated seizure profile, Toll-like receptor (TLR)-4 polymorphisms, and serum matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in patients with calcified neurocysticercosis. One-hundred nine patients with calcified neurocysticercosis with newly diagnosed seizures and 109 control subjects were enrolled. TLR-4 Asp299Gly and Thr399Ile polymorphisms and serum MMP-9 levels were evaluated. The patients were followed for 1 year. Asp/Gly (P = 0.012) and Thr/Ile (P = 0.002), Gly (Asp/Gly plus Gly/Gly) (P = 0.008) and Ile (Thr/Ile plus Ile/Ile) (P = 0.003) genotypes were significantly associated with calcified neurocysticercosis compared with controls. Gly/Gly and Ile/Ile genotypes were not significantly associated (P = 0.529 for Gly/Gly, P = 0.798 for Ile/Ile) with either group. The levels of MMP-9 were higher in calcified neurocysticercosis (P = < 0.001). The levels of MMP-9 were higher in patients with multiple calcified neurocysticercosis compared with single calcified neurocysticercosis (P = < 0.001). Headache (P = 0.031), status epilepticus (P = 0.029), Todd paralysis (P = 0.039), lesion size >10 mm (P = 0.001), and perilesional edema (P = < 0.001) were significantly associated with seizure recurrence. Heterozygous form Asp/Gly (P = < 0.001) and heterozygous form Thr/Ile (P = < 0.001) were significantly associated with seizure recurrence. The Gly (Asp/Gly plus Gly/Gly) (P = < 0.001) and Ile (Thr/Ile plus Ile/Ile) (P = < 0.001) genotypes were also significantly associated with seizure recurrence. Higher serum MMP-9 levels were significantly associated with seizure recurrence (P = < 0.001). The TLR-4 gene abnormalities may trigger inflammation around calcified neurocysticercosis leading to an increase in perilesional edema and provocation of seizures.