Comparative Evaluation of Cysticercal Antigens and Immunoassays in the Diagnosis of Neurocysticercosis

Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), dot immunobinding assay (DIA) and passive haemagglutination assay (PHA) were evaluated for the detection of anticysticercal antibodies in cerebrospinal fluids (CSF) from neurocysticercosis (NCC) patients. Results from the three tests were similar. Higher titres of antibodies were observed to the antigens in porcine whole-cyst sonicate than to those in vesicular fluid or scolex or membrane sonicates. Affinity purified parasitic antigens showed a higher degree of specificity and sensitivity in PHA than in ELISA or DIA. Western blot analyses with cyst antigens showed that CSF antibodies from confirmed NCC patients consistently recognized a protein in the region of 64-68 kDa. Other proteins, of 110, 94-97, 80, 72-75, 52, 45, 26-28 and 16-18 kDa, showed heterogenous reactivity, whereas the partially purified antigen of 64-68 kDa showed a high degree of sensitivity and specificity.