infectious diseases
Taenia Solium (Pork Tapeworm) Infection and Cysticercosis
Diagnosis
Microscopic examination of stool for ova and proglottids CT and/or MRI and serologic testing for patients with central nervous system symptoms Intestinal infection with adultT. soliumworms can usually be diagnosed by microscopic examination of stool samples and identification of ova and/or proglottids. However, the ova are indistinguishable from those ofT. saginataandT. asiatica.T. soliumeggs are present in≤50% of stool samples from patients with cysticercosis. Neurocysticercosis is usually diagnosed when CT or MRI is done to evaluate neurologic symptoms. Scans may show solid nodules, cysticerci, calcified cysts, ring-enhancing lesions, or hydrocephalus. The Centers' for Disease Control and Prevention immunoblot assay (using a serum or cerebrospinal fluid specimen) is highly specific and more sensitive than other enzyme immunoassays (particularly when>2 central nervous system lesions are present; sensitivity is lower when only a single cyst is present). Note that antibody-based assays such as immunoblot do not distinguish between active and inactive infections. Monoclonal antibody-based antigen detection assays are commercially available in Europe. Antigen detection assays appear to have higher sensitivity for subarachnoid and ventricular neurocysticercosis over parenchymal disease. The sensitivity of antigen detection is improved when cerebrospinal fluid rather than serum is used; however, false-negative results may be common with parenchymal disease ( Diagnosis reference ). T. soliumeggs are present in≤50% of stool samples from patients with cysticercosis. 1.Pineda-Reyes R, White AC Jr.: Neurocysticercosis: an update on diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.Curr Opin Infect Dis35(3):246-254, 2022. doi:10.1097/QCO.0000000000000831 