MMP-12/TIMP-1 ratio was significantly increased in the CSF of A. cantonensis-infected mice from day 10 p.i. (post-infection) and reached high levels on days 20 and 25 p.i. The production of MMP-12 resulted correlated with several parameters, such as elastin degradation, eosinophil count, blood–CSF barrier permeability and pathological changes in the subarachnoid space. Here, TIMP1 is linked to infection.