Serological evidence for recent exposure to Taenia solium in Venezuelan Amerindians.

Abstract

Abstract. This study examined the seroprevalence and serum antibody isotype profile for Taenia solium cysticercosis in an Amerindian community in the Amazonas state of Venezuela. An antigen-trapping enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Ag-ELISA) was used to detect viable cysticercosis. Indirect ELISA (Ab-ELISA) and enzyme-linked immunoelectrotransfer blot (EITB) was performed by using antigens prepared from T. solium metacestodes to detect anti-parasite antibodies. The Ag-ELISA and Ab-ELISAs revealed 64.7% and 79.0% seropositivity, respectively, in the Amerindian population. Immunoglobulin (Ig) M was the predominant antibody class, suggesting recent infection. In comparison sera from, clinically defined, hospital neurocysticercosis cases revealed only 27% seropositivity by Ag-ELISA, compared with 86-92% seropositivity by Ab-ELISA, and IgG 4 was the predominant antibody subclass detected. The EITB antigen recognition patterns of the hospitalized patients were very similar to that of the Amerindians, confirming exposure to the parasite. These results, combined with the predominance of IgM antibody responses and the marked detection of secreted products of viable parasites, strongly suggest that recent exposure to T. solium had occurred in the Amerindian population.

Human Neurocysticercosis: Comparison of Different Diagnostic Tests Using Cerebrospinal Fluid

“…In our study, although EITB exhibited higher specificity than the Ab-ELISA (100% versus 90%, respectively) and lower sensitivity (81% versus 90.1%, respectively), these differences were not statistically significant. Our result differs from those of some published studies (34,38), although others are in agreement (11,32). Since our Ab-ELISA is a simpler and less expensive tool than EITB for the immunological diagnosis of NC in the CSF, it seems more advisable for use in poor countries where NC is endemic, in order to consolidate the diagnosis of NC.…”

Seroprevalence and risk factors of cysticercosis in two rural communities from northern of Anzoátegui state, Venezuela

“…La cisticercosis es una enfermedad que se encuentra en áreas donde predominan condiciones socioeconómicas y sanitarias inadecuadas, y en Venezuela estas enfermedades se han reportado principalmente en zonas rurales (25)(26)(27)(28)(29)(30) En otros países también se pueden observar resultados similares, por ejemplo, en Perú, en un estudio de seroprevalencia en 10 comunidades rurales se reportaron seroprevalencias entre 7,1 % y 26,9 % (11). En una comunidad rural de la costa norte de Perú se encontró una seroprevalencia de 24,2 % (12), en tanto que en una comunidad de los Andes centrales de este país fue de 3,3 % (13), la cual coincide con la encontrada en este estudio en Boquerón.…”

“…En estudios de diversos grupos de investigación se ha detectado la presencia de teniasis y cisticercosis en los estados Carabobo, Yaracuy, Lara, Cojedes, Mérida, Táchira, Sucre, Zulia y Amazonas (6,(24)(25)(26)(27)(28)(29)(30). Tampoco existe mucha información sobre la enfermedad, ya que no es de notificación obligatoria y son pocos los trabajos de investigación que se han hecho al respecto, por lo cual no se conocen muy bien las áreas endémicas; además, en algunos casos se desconocen los factores de riesgo (24).…”

Epidemiology, clinical manifestations and diagnosis of zoonotic cestode infections: an update

“…Usually, neurological disorders appear several years after the primary infection which accounts for the frequently delayed NCC diagnosis, and thus therapy, in non-endemic countries (Vandenbos et al 2002). In several studies, the seroprevalence and serum antibody isotype profile for T. solium cysticercosis in people living in endemic regions have been examined using ELISA, immunoelectrotransfer blot (EITB) and other serologic tests (Margono et al 2001;Subahar et al 2001;Erhart et al 2002;Ferrer et al 2002). The results obtained from serology largely agreed with those from questionnaires with data for seizure frequency, biopsy examination, histopathological findings, DNA analysis of resected cysts, or computerized axial tomography scans.…”