A seroepidemiological study performed in Brasília showed evidence of infection by Cysticercus cellulosae in 5.2% of the sera from 1122 subjects and 16.7% of 120 cerebrospinal fluid specimens using Elisa and indirect immunofluorescent tests. Correlations were made between the presence of these antibodies in patients and control subjects, with sex, origin and certain epidemiological factors. Positive servology was found in 20.4% of patients suspected to nave cysticercosis, 3.5% of their relatives, 5.5% of out patients with headache, 0.6% of out patients with epilepsy and no positive serology was detected in the control group. Cysticercosis was morefrequent in older individuals but there was no sex predominance. Seropositivity varied according to different geographical regions of the country as follows: Southeast 8.1 %, Northeast 5.8%, Central west 5.3% and South ofine country 3.7%. The absence of sanitary conditions in the home, close contact with swine, and the use of river water, constituted factors of risk with the respective values of 3.1, 2.2, and 1.8.
Cysticercosis; Cysticercus cellulosae; Epidemiology: Immunological tests; IFA; Elisa