VEGF-D, IL-12p70, IL-10, IL-13, IL-17 A, and eotaxin-2 were not detected (median 0 pg/ml), whilst infection-induced MMP-9, eotaxin-1 and − 3, IL-2, and IFN-γ by CNS cells above background was negligible or even decreased. Here, VEGFD is linked to infection.