Long-term clinical evaluation of asymptomatic subjects positive for circulating Taenia solium antigens

Abstract

Although presence of cysticercal antigens in serum is presumed to indicate active cysticercosis not all positive persons are symptomatic. The significance of a positive antigen test in asymptomatic individuals, in predicting development of symptomatic cysticercosis on long-term follow up, is unknown. Forty two of 48 persons from Vellore district, India who were positive for circulating serum cysticercal antigens were followed up for four to five years. None of them developed clinical evidence of neurocysticercosis or subcutaneous cysts. We conclude that asymptomatic individuals with circulating cysticercal antigens have a low risk of developing symptomatic cysticercosis within four to five years.