High Prevalence of Asymptomatic Neurocysticercosis in an Endemic Rural Community in Peru

Background: neurocysticercosis is a common helminthic infection of the central nervous system and an important cause of adult-onset epilepsy in endemic countries. however,few studies have examined associations between neurologic symptoms,serology and radiographic findings on a community-level. methodology: we conducted a population-based study of resident’s ≥2 years old in a highly endemic village in peru (pop. 454). we applied a 14 -question neurologic screening tool and evaluated serum for antibodies against taenia solium cysticercosis using enzyme-linked immunoelectrotransfer blot (llgp-eitb). we invited all residents ≥18 years old to have non-contrast computerized tomography (ct) of the head. principal findings: of the 385 residents who provided serum samples,142 (36.9%) were seropositive. of the 256 residents who underwent ct scan,48 (18.8%) had brain calcifications consistent with ncc; 8/48 (17.0%) reported a history of headache and/or seizures. exposure to t. solium is very common in this endemic community where 1 out of 5 residents had brain calcifications. however,the vast majority of people with calcifications were asymptomatic. conclusion: this study reports a high prevalence of ncc infection in an endemic community in peru and confirms that a large proportion of apparently asymptomatic residents have brain calcifications that could provoke seizures in the future. © 2016 moyano et al.