A SEROLOGICAL STUDY OF CYSTICERCOSIS IN TRIBAL POPULATION OF RURAL KANCHEEPURAM

Human cysticercosis is a disease associated with poverty, transmitted by Taenia solium larva causes cysticercosis. Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is the most common infection of the Central nervous system. Diagnosis of these cases, especially at the tertiary hospitals being made by imaging methods such as Computerized tomography (CT) and Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): and poorly supplemented by serological tests. Out of 120, 90 had symptoms of Seizures and chronic headache. Their serum samples were collected and analyzed for antigen detection by ELISA and subjected for CT. The present study showed 8 (9%) positive for Antigen ELISA, males were 6 (6.6%) and in females, 2 (2.22%) which was very high. CT imaging of brain showed lesions positive in 7 cases, 6 showed single lesions and 1 showed multiple lesions confirming neurocysticercosis (NCC). This study reveals the importance of antigen detection. This was the first study from tribal population of rural Kancheepuram of South India.