Serological screening for cysticercosis in mentally altered individuals.
The parasitic infection neurocysticercosis may give rise to a variety of psychiatric manifestations that resemble, but are different from, primary psychiatric disorders. The aim of this study was to determine if among individuals from a neurocysticercosis-endemic area of Colombia who apparently had a psychiatric manifestation with associated neurological finding ('cases'), some could have been infected with Taenia solium cysticerci. This case-control study was done in individuals hospitalized in two mental institutions. The control-1 individuals were those classified with primary psychiatric disease, and the control-2 group consisted of healthy, non-hospitalized individuals. A serological test for cysticercosis was positive in 5/96 (5.1%) cases, 4/153 (2.6%) psychiatric controls, and 5/246 (2%) healthy controls. The data analysis indicated a weak association between the cases and a positive serology for neurocysticercosis (odds ratio > 2; P > 0.05). The lower education level of the cases influenced this association.
Sanzón
Fernando
F
Universidad de Nariño, Centro de Estudios en Salud, San Juan de Pasto, Colombia.
Osorio
Ana M
AM
Morales
José P
JP
Isaza
Rodrigo
R
Cardona
Edgar
E
Moncayo
Luis C
LC
Villota
Guido E
GE
Zapata
Olga T
OT
Palacio
Carlos A
CA
Arbeláez
María P
MP
Restrepo
Blanca I
BI
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000818:Animals; D000909:Antibodies, Helminth / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003105:Colombia; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006778:Hospitals, Psychiatric; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000145:classification / Q000209:etiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D020019:Neurocysticercosis / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D013621:Taenia
D000909:Antibodies, Helminth