Immunoassay Evaluated for Severe Neurocysticercosis

The assay performance was compared with that of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and in addition, the robustness of the HP10 Ag-ELISA was evaluated independently at two different institutions.

Scientists at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (University City, Mexico) conducted a cohort trial involving 38 neurocysticercosis (NC) with cysticerci located in the subarachnoid space at the base of the brain (NC-SaB) cases and a total of 108 paired serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples taken at intervals of four to eight months for up to 43 months. HP10 antigen was detected by Ag-ELISA and optical densities (OD) read at 450 nm and determined in ELISA processors, either the Benchmark Microplate Reader (Bio-Rad; Hercules, CA, USA) or the Opsys MR (Dynex Technologies; Chantilly, VA, USA).

A good level of agreement was found between positive/negative allocations for paired CSF and serum samples. There was complete agreement between radiological and CSF HP10 Ag-ELISA results in 18 out of the 38 cases. Of the 108-paired MRI/HP10 Ag-ELISA evaluations, agreement between MRI and CSF HP10 Ag-ELISA was found in 76 (70.4%) cases and between MRI and sera HP10 in 65 (60%) patients. This lack of agreement appears to be principally due to a misinterpreted MRI rather than to serum and/or CSF HP10 Ag-ELISA assay and in addition, HP10 Ag-ELISA proved to be a highly reproducible method, when comparing results obtained in two different Mexican institutions.

The authors concluded that the study established the usefulness and economic advantage of the HP10 Ag-ELISA applied on CSF and serum samples for the follow-up of patients with NC-SaB, the most severe form of the disease. They believe their results will lead to the rapid commercialization of a HP10 antigen diagnostic kit to favor its employment worldwide. The study was published on March 7, 2013, in the journal Public Library of Science Neglected Tropical Diseases.

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National Autonomous University of Mexico
Bio-Rad
Dynex Technologies