Molecular identification of Taenia solium cysticercus genotype in the histopathological specimens

PCR-based molecular diagnosis was done for identification of causative agents found in paraffin-embedded specimens that were resected from two suspected neurocysticercosis patients. DNA samples were extracted from tissues or sections and cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene and cytochrome b gene were amplified for the detection of taeniid DNA. Two different genes were successfully amplified in both specimens, but the sizes of amplified products seemed to depend on the quality of DNA. Based on the nucleotide sequences of the PCR-amplified genes, the causative agents from two cases were identified as T. solium Asian genotype. When infection with T. solium is not confirmed by histopathological examination, molecular diagnosis will be more useful for definitive diagnosis.