Epilepsy and neurocysticercosis in a village in Huaraz, Peru

Abstract

Sixteen individuals presenting with seizures in a rural village of Peru were screened for antibodies to Taenia solium, and those willing to attend were offered a complete neurological work-up including EEG and cerebral CT scan in a reference center. Seroprevalence using immunoblot was 35% (5/16). Eight individuals came for examination. CT scans were abnormal in all four seropositive cases (an enhancing lesion in one case, multiple live cysts and calcifications in one case, and multiple calcifications in two cases), and normal in the four seronegative individuals. Electroencephalographic tracings were normal in six cases, and abnormal in one seronegative and in one seropositive individual. Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is frequently found in epileptic individuals in most developing countries, and is probably the major cause of seizures in this zone.