Open AccessHigh Prevalence of Asymptomatic Neurocysticercosis in an Endemic Rural Community in Peru
Author(s) -
Luz M. Moyano,
Seth E. O’Neal,
Viterbo Ayvar,
Guillermo Gonzálvez,
Ricardo Gamboa,
Percy Vilchez,
Silvia Rodríguez,
Joe Reistetter,
Victor C. W. Tsang,
Robert H. Gilman,
Armando E. González,
Héctor H. Garcı́a
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
plos neglected tropical diseases
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.99
H-Index - 135
eISSN - 1935-2735
pISSN - 1935-2727
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005130
Subject(s) - neurocysticercosis , taenia solium , asymptomatic , cysticercosis , medicine , serology , population , pediatrics , helminthiasis , immunology , pathology , environmental health , antibody
Background Neurocysticercosis is a common helminthic infection of the central nervous system and an important cause of adult-onset epilepsy in endemic countries. However, few studies have examined associations between neurologic symptoms, serology and radiographic findings on a community-level. Methodology We conducted a population-based study of resident’s ≥2 years old in a highly endemic village in Peru (pop. 454). We applied a 14 -question neurologic screening tool and evaluated serum for antibodies against Taenia solium cysticercosis using enzyme-linked immunoelectrotransfer blot (LLGP-EITB). We invited all residents ≥18 years old to have non-contrast computerized tomography (CT) of the head. Principal findings Of the 385 residents who provided serum samples, 142 (36.9%) were seropositive. Of the 256 residents who underwent CT scan, 48 (18.8%) had brain calcifications consistent with NCC; 8/48 (17.0%) reported a history of headache and/or seizures. Exposure to T . solium is very common in this endemic community where 1 out of 5 residents had brain calcifications. However, the vast majority of people with calcifications were asymptomatic. Conclusion This study reports a high prevalence of NCC infection in an endemic community in Peru and confirms that a large proportion of apparently asymptomatic residents have brain calcifications that could provoke seizures in the future.