The neurocysticercosis project in Atteridgeville-Mamelodi townships.

The incidence and prevalence of neurocysticercosis in South Africa are unknown. A hospital-based prospective study to determine the incidence of neurocysticercosis was therefore undertaken. A research questionnaire and strict inclusion and exclusion criteria were used. Apart from determining the incidence, our other aims were to determine the sources of infection and routes of transmission, evaluate therapeutic programmes and, on the basis of our findings, develop prevention programmes. We found that it was impossible to determine the sources of infection and routes of transmission. When strict selection criteria were applied the number of patients (13) was significantly smaller than the 58 patients in an earlier pilot project. The implications of the findings for incidence surveys are discussed. The implications of the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) of serum and cerebrospinal fluid for diagnosis are discussed. The effectiveness of praziquantel was confirmed, and therapeutic approaches and preventive measures based on our findings are suggested.