Detection of antibodies to Taenia solium in sera of patient with epilepsy using ELISA.

ABSTRACT

Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used for detection of antibodies to cysticerci of Taenia solium in patients suffering from suspected neurocysticercosis. Serum antibodies to cysticercosis were detected in 10.4% of the patients. Antibodies were absent in healthy controls. No cross-reactivity was observed in sera from patients with other parasitic diseases viz. toxoplasmosis, filariasis and kala-azar. However sera from patients with hydatid disease showed cross reactions in 20%. Age group distribution showed gradual non-significant increase in seropositivity rates with advancing age. No significant gender difference, was observed. Analysis of dietary habits of patients showed statistically significant difference in seropositivity rates in non-vegetarians (15.4%) as compared to vegetarians (6.9%) (P value < .001).