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. 2022 Jan-Jun;12(1):15-20.
doi: 10.4103/tp.TP_72_20. Epub 2022 Jun 26.

High prevalence of neurocysticercosis among patients with epilepsy in a tertiary care hospital of Assam, India

K Rekha Devi  1 , Debasish Borbora  1   2 , Narayan Upadhyay  3 , Dibyajyoti Goswami  1 , S K Rajguru  1 , Kanwar Narain  1
Affiliations

High prevalence of neurocysticercosis among patients with epilepsy in a tertiary care hospital of Assam, India

K Rekha Devi et al. Trop Parasitol. 2022 Jan-Jun.

Abstract

Background: Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is a parasitic disease of the central nervous system, which is caused by the metacestode of the pork tapeworm, Taenia solium. The present unicentric, hospital-based, cross-sectional study was undertaken to assess the contribution of NCC as a cause of active epilepsy among patients attending a tertiary health care center in Assam, India.

Materials and methods: Over a period of 2 years, 152 active epilepsy patients were investigated based on clinical, epidemiological, neuroimaging (contrast-enhanced computerized tomography), and immunological techniques to establish the diagnosis of NCC. A precoded questionnaire was administered to patients and/or guardians to collect detailed medical history.

Results: Ninety-three cases (61.2%) fulfilled either definitive or probable diagnostic criteria for NCC. Anti-cysticercus immunoglobulin G antibodies were detected by ELISA and enzyme electro-immune transfer blot in 69 (45.4%) active epilepsy patients. Seroprevalence was higher in males, 46.6% (54/116); than in females, 41.7% (15/36), and increased significantly with age; peaking in the 20-39 years age group (36/76; χ2 = 5.64; P = 0.02). Among the seropositive cases, 54 (78.3%) were diagnosed with NCC. A significantly higher number of seropositive individuals were diagnosed with NCC in the 20-39 years age group as compared to the 40 years and above age group (χ2 = 6.28; P = 0.01). The association between seropositivity for NCC, and the number of lesions in the brain was statistically significant (χ2 = -8.33; P = 0.003).

Conclusions: This study indicates that NCC is a major cause of active epilepsy in Assam. A high prevalence of pediatric NCC is also a major concern.

Keywords: Epilepsy; India; Northeast; hospital-based; pediatric neurocysticercosis.

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Conflict of interest statement

There are no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan showing (a) solitary, and (b) multiple ring enhancing lesions with surrounding edema
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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