Title
Taenia solium cysticercosis hotspots surrounding tapeworm carriers: Clustering on human seroprevalence but not on seizures
Date Issued
19 May 2009
Access level
open access
Resource Type
journal article
Author(s)
LESCANO GUEVARA, ANDRES GUILLERMO
GARCIA LESCANO, HECTOR HUGO
GAVIDIA CHUCAN, CESAR MIGUEL
Tsang V.
Moulton L.
GONZALEZ ZARIQUIEY, ARMANDO EMILIANO
Abstract
Background: Neurocysticercosis accounts for 30%-50% of all late-onset epilepsy in endemic countries. We assessed the clustering patterns of Taenia solium human cysticercosis seropositivity and seizures around tapeworm carriers in seven rural communities in Peru. Methodology: The presence of T. solium-specific antibodies was defined as one or more positive bands in the enzyme-linked immunoelectrotransfer blot (EITB). Neurocysticercosis-related seizures cases were diagnosed clinically and had positive neuroimaging or EITB. Principal Findings: Eleven tapeworm carriers were identified by stool microscopy. The seroprevalence of human cysticercosis was 24% (196/803). Seroprevalence was 21% > 50 m from a carrier and increased to 32% at 1-50 m (p = 0.047), and from that distance seroprevalence had another significant increase to 64% at the homes of carriers (p = 0.004). Seizure prevalence was 3.0% (25/837) but there were no differences between any pair of distance ranges (p = 0.629, Wald test 2 degrees of freedom). Conclusion/Significance: We observed a significant human cysticercosis seroprevalence gradient surrounding current tapeworm carriers, although cysticercosis-related seizures did not cluster around carriers. Due to differences in the timing of the two outcomes, seroprevalence may reflect recent T. solium exposure more accurately than seizure frequency.
Volume
3
Issue
1
Language
English
OCDE Knowledge area
Parasitología
Scopus EID
2-s2.0-65549120720
PubMed ID
Source
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases
Sponsor(s)
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases - P01AI051976, U01AI035894.
Fogarty International Center - D43TW007393.
Sources of information:
Directorio de Producción Científica
Scopus