Detection of Cysticercus cellulosae antigens in cerebrospinal fluid by dot enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Dot-ELISA) and standard ELISA.

The dot enzyme-linked immunoassay and standard enzyme-linked immunoassay were used to detect Cysticercus cellulosae antigens in cerebrospinal fluid of patients suffering with neurocysticercosis. Using the dot enzyme-linked immunoassay, 10 of 17 patients (59%) were positive at a reciprocal titer of 128 (range 128-1,024). In the standard assay, 13 of 17 (77%) were positive (range 128-512). Specificity was 100% in both assays using 48 cerebrospinal fluids from patients with various central nervous system infections. The quantification of antigens in cerebrospinal fluid using standard assay and photometric readings showed a range of 17 to 138 ng/ml. The results indicate that both assays are sensitive, specific, and economical for the diagnosis of neurocysticercosis.