Background: The diagnosis of neurocysticercosis (NCC) has been made by association of neuroimaging studies and use of sensitive and specific serological assays. Objectives: Evaluating Elisa and Western blot (Wb) tests using a crude extract of Cysticercus cellulosae (Taenia solium) as antigen and a Wb test using a glycoprotein of Cysticercus longicollis (Taenia crassiceps) as antigen for the diagnosis of NCC. Methods: Serum samples from 43 patients with NCC: 21patients presenting clinical manifestations, cerebral computed tomography findings compatible with cerebral lesions and high levels of anti-cysticercus antibodies in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF); 22 patients with clinical manifestations and cerebral computed tomography findings compatible with cerebral lesions and serum samples from 229 patients with other parasitic infections were tested by Elisa standardized with crude extract of C. cellulosae and Wb standardized with glicoprotein of C. cellulosae and C. longicollis. Results: The Elisa test using crude extract of C. cellulosae showed specificity of 95% and sensibility of 71%. Both tests using glycoproteins of either C. cellulosae or C. longicollis showed specificity of 99% and sensibility of 86%. Conclusions: The use of immunological techniques for antibodies detection in CSF was shown to be an important tool for NCC diagnosis. However, detection of antibodies in serum lacked sensibility when Elisa was evaluated. The Wb assay in serum samples was sensitive and specific and it can be helpful for the diagnosis of the transitional form of NCC frequently not detected by cerebral computed tomography.
Neurocysticercosis; Immunodiagnosis; Antigen
