Emerging Infectious Diseases
Volume 18, Issue 3, 2012, Pages 431-438

Seroprevalence of antibodies against Taenia solium cysticerci among refugees resettled in United States (Article) (Open Access)

O'Neal S.E. , Townes J.M. , Wilkins P.P. , Noh J.C. , Lee D. , Rodriguez S. , Garcia H.H. , Stauffer W.M.
  • a Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, United States
  • b Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, United States
  • c Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
  • d Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
  • e Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
  • f Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Neurologicas, Lima, Peru
  • g Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Neurologicas, Lima, Peru, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
  • h Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States

Abstract

Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is a disease caused by central nervous system infection by the larval stage of the pork tapeworm, Taenia solium. In developing countries, NCC is a leading cause of adult-onset epilepsy. Case reports of NCC are increasing among refugees resettled to the United States and other nations, but the underlying prevalence among refugee groups is unknown. We tested stored serum samples from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Migrant Serum Bank for antibodies against T. solium cysts by using the enzymelinked immunoelectrotransfer blot. Seroprevalence was high among all 4 populations tested: refugees from Burma (23.2%), Lao People's Democratic Republic (18.3%), Bhutan (22.8%), and Burundi (25.8%). Clinicians caring for refugee populations should suspect NCC in patients with seizure, chronic headache, or unexplained neurologic manifestations. Improved understanding of the prevalence of epilepsy and other associated diseases among refugees could guide recommendations for their evaluation and treatment before, during, and after resettlement.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

Cysticercus Antibodies, Helminth antibody blood level refugee Laos antibody titer human Taenia solium Refugees Neurocysticercosis cysticercus (cestode larva) middle aged controlled study Aged Animals Bhutan United States Young Adult taeniasis Burundi Humans Adolescent male female Aged, 80 and over Myanmar helminth antibody Article Antigens, Helminth major clinical study adult Sex Factors Age Factors seroprevalence Seroepidemiologic Studies enzyme linked immunoelectrotransfer blot immunoassay
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84863229417&doi=10.3201%2feid1803.111367&partnerID=40&md5=8f5b38c2a46096a3c73b18bc955859b7
DOI: 10.3201/eid1803.111367
ISSN: 10806040
Cited by: 23
Original Language: English