Title
Discrepancies between cerebral computed tomography and western blot in the diagnosis of neurocysticercosis
Date Issued
01 January 1994
Access level
metadata only access
Resource Type
journal article
Author(s)
Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia
Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia
Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia
Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia
Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia
Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia
Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia
Publisher(s)
American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Abstract
Serum samples from sequential patients who underwent cerebral computed axial tomography (CT) scan in a Peruvian radiologic clinic were tested by the highly sensitive and specific enzyme-linked immunoelectrotransfer blot (EITB) test to detect antibodies to Taenia solium. The results of the EITB test were compared with those obtained by CT scan for the diagnosis of neurocysticercosis. Of the 383 patients sampled, 32 (8%) were seropositive. The results of CT and EITB were frequently discrepant. When compared with the EITB assay, the CT scan was 44% sensitive and 95% specific. The sensitivity of CT increased to 63% if less specific images (single calcifications, granulomas, or hydrocephalus) were included. The CT scan for diagnosis of cysticercosis can best be used in conjunction with a reliable serologic test such as the EITB.
Start page
152
End page
157
Volume
50
Issue
2
Language
English
OCDE Knowledge area
Neurociencias Enfermedades infecciosas
Scopus EID
2-s2.0-0028333745
PubMed ID
Source
American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
ISSN of the container
00029637
Sources of information: Directorio de Producción Científica Scopus