Study of an intradermic antigen for cysticercosis diagnosis: communication

Abstract

An intradermic antigen for the diagnosis of cysticercosis is being proposed. The manner of preparation and application is also shown. The reading of the result is proceeded 30 minutes after the intradermic injection by measuring the papule's diameter. Up to now the antigen has been tested on 31 cerebral cysticercotic patients and on 64 non-infested persons: The papule mean diameter was 14,6 mm (s.d. ± 7,3 mm) for the patients and 4,9 mm (s.d. ± 1,8 mm) for the control group. There were no negative reactions among the patients and 26,5% of the non-infested presented no reaction whatsoever to the antigen. Later complications were not refered. Testing on patients with cestoid enteric infestation is now being carried out. It seems that the antigen has fairly good sensibility and fulfils the necessary epidemiological requirements of easy preparation, simples application and reading, inocuity, sensitiveness and low cost.