The disease burden of Taenia solium cysticercosis in Cameroon.

Background: Taenia solium cysticercosis is an important zoonosis in many developing countries. Human neurocysticercosis is recognised as an important cause of epilepsy in regions where the parasite occurs. However, it is largely underreported and there is a lack of data about the disease burden.

Neurocysticercosis and epilepsy in Cameroon.

During January 2002 the frequency of Taenia solium cysticercosis was studied in a series of 504 epileptic patients from 3 rural localities in the West and North-West provinces of Cameroon using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for both circulating antigen (Ag-ELISA) and antibody (Ag-ELISA) detection. Taenia solium antigens were detected in the sera of 1.2% of the patients whereas specific antibodies against the parasite were present in 44.