Sandbox: ay

Diagnostic criteria

A set of diagnostic criteria were proposed by Del Brutto et al based on the laboratory and imaging tests. The criteria were modified in 2001 to be: (22)

Categories	Details
Absolute	Cystic lesions with the scolex in it on CT scan or MRI Histologic confirmation of the parasite on a biopsy from a lesion in the brain or spinal cord Visualization of subretinal parasites directly using funduscopic examination
Major	Positivity of serum anticysticercal antibodies using enzyme-linked immunoelectrotransfer blot assay (EITB) Highly suggestive lesions of neurocysticercosis on neuroimaging Resolution of small single enhancing lesions spontaneously Resolution of intracranial cystic lesions after trreatment with albendazole or praziquantel
Minor	Lesions that are compatible with neurocysticercosis on neuroimaging (CT or MRI) Clinical presentation that is suggestive of neurocysticercosis. Positive findings from cerebrospinal fluid enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for detection of anticysticercal antibodies or cysticercal antigens Diagnosing cysticercosis remotely (outside the central nervous system)
Epidemiologic	Evidence of T.solium infection in a household contact Individuals who are staying in or coming from an area of cysticercosis endemicity Household contact with an individual infected with T solium History of travelling frequently to a disease endemic areas
Certainity of diagnosis after applying the criteria
Certainity of diagnosis	Details
Definitive	Fulfilling 1 absolute criterion Fulfilling 2 major criteria in addition to 1 minor criterion and 1 epidemiologic criterion
Probable	Fulfilling 1 major criterion in addition to 2 minor criteria Fulfilling 1 major criterion in addition to 1 minor criterion and 1 epidemiologic criterion Fulfilling 3 minor criteria in addition to 1 epidemiologic criterion

Specific for Neuro

EITB

MaIN waknesses is that it has only 50% sensitivity in patients with single brain lesions and it can't differentiate between patients with only intestinal tapeworm and patients with cysticercosis (both will be positive)(23)

Using monoclonal antibodies to detect parasitic antigen

CAn be used for following the response to treatment but less sensitive than EITB in detecting the disease. (23)