Clinical Evaluation of the Cysticercosis Enzyme-Linked Immunoelectrotransfer Blot in Patients with Neurocysticercosis

Abstract

During the 3 years that the enzyme-linked immunoelectrotransfer blot (EITB) assay for the diagnosis of human cysticercosis has been in use at the Centers for Disease Control, 50 patients with both pathologically confirmed neurocysticercosis and computed tomographic (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan results were identified. Of 32 patients with two or more lesions, 94% had detectable antibodies by EITB compared with 28% of 18 patients with single lesions. Patients with only calcified cysts (single or multiple) were less likely to have EITB-positive results than were those with noncalcified, enhancing lesions. Antibody was detectable more frequently in serum than in cerebrospinal fluid, regardless of the number or apparent condition of the cysts. These findings confirm that the EITB assay for cysticercosis antibodies is highly sensitive in patients with multiple, enhancing intracranial lesions but is less sensitive in patients with single lesions and in those with calcified lesions.

Neurocysticercosis: detection of IgG, IgA and IgE antibodies in cerebrospinal fluid, serum and saliva samples by ELISA with Taenia solium and Taenia crassiceps antigens

“…These results suggest a higher sensitivity of the Tcra antigen in the detection of serum antibodies in patients that do not present signs of inflammatory processes. Some authors have reported lower sensitivity of the immunological tests in patients with calcified cysts, independent of the antigen employed 24,27,28 .…”

Neurocysticercosis as Solitary Parenchymal Lesion Confirmed by Mitochondrial Deoxyribonucleic Acid Sequence Analysis-Case Report-

“…Serological examinations such as ELISA and enzyme-linked immunoelectrotransfer blot (EITB) provide high sensitivity for neurocysticercosis. 1,3,11,12) However, these methods are not sensitive for cysticercosis with a solitary lesion. 12,14) The positive finding for CSF examination by EITB is less than 40% in cases of solitary neurocysticercosis.…”

“…1,3,11,12) However, these methods are not sensitive for cysticercosis with a solitary lesion. 12,14) The positive finding for CSF examination by EITB is less than 40% in cases of solitary neurocysticercosis. 12) Mitochondrial DNA analysis is useful for routine identification of taeniid cestodes and particularly for correlating the pathogenicity and genotypes of T. solium if parasite materials are available.…”

“…1,3) The larvae can cause cyst formation in any tissue, including the central nervous system (CNS). Cysticercosis in the CNS, or neurocysticercosis, is a very common disease in Central and South America, Asia, and Africa, [1][2][3][4][5][6][9][10][11][12][13][14] although a few cases have been reported in Japan. 7,8) Patients with neurocysticercosis often present with varied and non-specific symptoms including seizures and focal neurological deficits.…”

“…3) The clinical diagnosis of neurocysticercosis has been based on the patient history, radiographical findings, and pathological confirmation. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14] Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is also valuable for the diagnosis. However, T 1 -weighted MR imaging with gadolinium may show neurocysticercosis as a solitary parenchymal lesion, which cannot be differentiated from other solitary lesions including other types of parasites and tuberculosis.…”