A serological study of human cysticercosis in Pondicherry, South India

The present study was carried out to determine the extent of the problem of cysticercosis in Pondicherry by assessing the antibody response to porcine cysticercus antigen by the indirect haemagglutination (IHA) in people residing in and around Pondicherry and in patients clinically suspected to have cysticercosis. Serum samples were collected from 1442 persons apparently normal in respect to cysticercosis, 91 cases of clinically suspected cases of cysticercosis, and 100 normal healthy students and blood donors. These sera were tested for cysticercus antibodies by IHA test using whole porcine cysticercus antigen sensitised RBCs. An antibody titre of 1:64 and above by the IHA was considered to be diagnostic of cysticercosis. At this diagnostic titre, 88 (6.10 %) of 1442 apparently normal population sera were seropositive. Of these 88 seropositive subjects, 16 (18.18 %), 33 (37.5 %) and 32 (36.36 %) were in the age groups of 1-13 yrs, 14-40 years and above 40 years respectively. 52 (59.1%) were males and 36 (40.9 %) were females. Twenty (21.97%) out of 91 clinically suspected cases were found to be seropositive out of which 14 (70 %) were males and 6 (30 %) females. 4 cases were in the age group of 6-13 years, 14 cases in 14-40 years and 2 cases were in the age group of 40 years and more. Cysticercus antibodies were not detected in any of the sera from healthy peoples including students. A positive antibody response in 6.1 % of population residing in and around Pondicherry and in 21.97 % of patients clinically suspected cases of cysticercosis show that cysticercosis may be more common in Pondicherry than believed.