Human neurocysticercosis: comparison of enzyme immunoassay capture techniques based on monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies for the detection of parasite products in cerebrospinal fluid

Current diagnosis of neurocysticercosis relies mostly on computerized tomography and nuclear magnetic resonance, with detection of antibodies being confirmatory rather than decisive. An assay which detects parasite products in cerebrospinal fluid would conclusively demonstrate a current infection and could be important when decisions regarding treatment must be made. Cerebrospinal fluid from patients with neurocysticercosis was used in 4 enzyme immunoassay capture tests designed to detect parasite products. Of the systems tested, one, based on the use of a monoclonal antibody reactive with a surface and secretion component of the metacestode, was particularly promising, giving a sensitivity of 72%. The assay has the double advantage of a very low background and a proved specificity for the products of living cysticerci. The other 3 systems (monoclonal anti-vesicular fluid antibody, polyclonal antibody against a saline extract and polyclonal anti-antigen B antibody) were less sensitive. Results with the anti-antigen B system support the proposal that products of low immunogenicity are the most appropriate targets for the serological detection of the parasite.