DIAGNOSTIC TESTS [10]

Picture courtesy of the VCU Health System. [H]

The diagnostic protocol required to confirm T. solium infection is determined by the type of disease the infected patient presents with. Since a patient can present with symptoms of either taeniasis or cysticercosis (specifically, neurocysticercosis), there are two separate protocols (listed below):

Taeniasis:

• Stool sample (repeated three times)

  • Visualize uterine branches of gravid proglottids with India ink injection
    • Positive confimation: Observation of 7-12 uterine branch
  • Scolex examination
    • Positive confirmation: Observation of 4 suckers
      

Neurocysticercosis:

1. Stool sample

2. Lumbar puncture
-Abnormal CSF findings (50-90% cases): elevated protein levels, decreased glucose levels, mononuclear pleocytosis, cell count <300/mm^3, eosinophilia

3. ELISA

4. EITB

5. Imaging: X-ray, CT, MRI