Seroprevalence of Taenia solium antibodies in Vellore district, South India

Abstract

Although Taenia solium neurocysticercosis is the cause of almost one-third of epilepsy in Vellore district, south India, the level of exposure to T. solium in the district is not known. This study determined the seroprevalence of cysticercus antibodies in seizure-free, study subjects aged 2-60 years from urban and rural areas of Vellore district. Cysticercus antibodies, as determined by immunoblots, were noted in 15.9% of 1063 people and were significantly higher in the rural population (17.7%) compared with the urban population (6.0%). Twenty-four percent of the rural population and 12% of the urban population ate pork. One-third of all households in the district had one or more members seropositive for cysticercus antibodies. The high index of exposure to T. solium in south India calls for improved animal husbandry and sanitation.