COMPARISON OF 2 ASSAYS (EIA AND EITB) AND 2 SAMPLES (SALIVA AND SERUM) FOR THE DIAGNOSIS OF NEUROCYSTICERCOSIS

The enzyme immunoassay (EIA), standardized with a crude extract, and the enzyme-linked immunoelectrotransfer blot assay (ETIB) with glycoprotein antigens, were compared by using saliva and serum in the search for specific antibodies against Taenia solium larvae, for the diagnosis of neurocy-sticercosis. Saliva was slightly more sensitive in EIA (82·1%) than serum (74·1%). In EITB serum was far more sensitive (100%) than saliva (70·4%). The use of EITB with serum is thus an excellent choice for diagnosis of clinical cases of neurocysticercosis, while EIA using saliva represents a useful combination for diagnosis and, especially, epidemiology, because saliva is easily obtained by a painless and non-invasive procedure and the technique is simpler to perform. Furthermore, cross-reactivity of EIA with Echinococcus does not interfere in countries like Mexico where human hydatid disease is not present. © 1990, Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. All rights reserved.