[Cysticercosis in Madagascar: diagnostic and therapeutic improvement]

Human cysticercosis is linked to infection by the larval stage of Taenia solium: Cysticercus cellulosae and was identified in Madagascar since 1901. Neurocysticercosis constitute, when parasite is localized in cerebral vesicles, a disease with important neurologic symptoms: epilepsia, spasms... This disease would be diagnosed before parasite calcification and this diagnosis permit Praziquantel treatment indication, with good results in many cases. We have developed cysticercosis diagnosis permitting: stage definition of the disease: Elisa and Western Blot tests, therapeutic following by enzyme immunoassay capture of serum cysticercosis antigens. We have observed: disease prevalence of 18% proving high rate of circulating parasite, in the countries studies, significative variation of circulating antigens and/or antibodies, one month after one or two Praziquantel treatment, in 82% of 130 patients. This disease seems to be important in Madagascar in neurologic syndromes, but the solution of this problem would result in prophylactic and concerted actions by public health means.