Skip to main navigation Skip to search Skip to main content

Serum antigen detection in the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of neurocysticercosis patients

  • H. H. Garcia
  • , R. M.E. Parkhouse
  • , R. H. Gilman
  • , T. Montenegro
  • , T. Bernal
  • , S. M. Martinez
  • , A. E. Gonzalez
  • , V. C.W. Tsang
  • , L. J.S. Harrison
  • Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Neurológicas
  • Institute for Animal Health
  • Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia
  • Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
  • Univ. Nacional Mayor de San Marcos
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  • University of Edinburgh

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

100 Scopus citations

Abstract

The efficacy of albendazole (ABZ) treatment for human neurocysticercosis (NCC) was assessed by using a monoclonal antibody-based parasite antigen detection ELISA which specifically detects the products of living cysticerci in human serum. The assay displayed 85% diagnostic sensitivity, detecting 39 of 46 NCC cases. Only patients with a single viable cyst or only enhancing lesions (degenerating parasites) were seronegative. Specificity of the assay was 92% (23/25) when tested in healthy Peruvian volunteers. In 'cured' patients, in whom all parasites died after ABZ therapy, parasite antigen levels fell sharply by 3 months post treatment. This pattern was not observed in patients refractory to treatment. The sensitivity of the assay with serum samples, and its ability to identify successfully treated patients, make this monoclonal antibody-based ELISA the test of choice for the follow-up of NCC cases.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)673-676
Number of pages4
JournalTransactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Volume94
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - 2000

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

  1. SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
    SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

Keywords

  • Albendazole
  • Antigen detection
  • Chemotherapy
  • ELISA
  • Follow-up
  • Neurocysticercosis
  • Peru
  • Taenia solium

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Serum antigen detection in the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of neurocysticercosis patients'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this