SEROLOGIC EVOLUTION OF NEUROCYSTICERCOSIS PATIENTS AFTER ANTIPARASITIC THERAPY

Neurocysticercosis is the main cause of acquired epilepsy in developin g countries and is an emerging disease in the United States. Introduct ion of the immunoblot assay provided a new tool for the diagnosis and monitoring of neurocysticercosis. This study analyzed the relationship between clinical characteristics of cerebral infection (number and ty pe of lesions) plus the baseline response on immunoblot and the change s observed after therapy. Reaction to all 7 diagnostic bands was assoc iated with severe infection (more lesions). Seventeen patients (35%) h ad no active lesions on computed tomography (CT) 3 months after therap y and were considered cured, Although most cured patients remained ser opositive after 1 year, 3 became seronegative before 9 months. In thes e 3 cases, the lesions had resolved on CT at 3 months, Persistent sero positivity does not necessarily indicate active infection, Serologic f ollow-up will be clinically helpful only in rare cases in which early antibody disappearance occurs.