title: Imaging and Serological-Evidence of Neurocysticercosis Among Patients with Seizures in Odisha, an Unexplored Eastern Coastal Province in India.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Neurocysticercosis being a potential to human transmitted disease, is the major cause of seizures and a public health problem in tropical countries. Though India is known to be highly endemic, there are many provinces where reports are still unavailable thereby underestimating its actual burden.
  
  
  METHODS
  Anti-Cysticercus IgG antibodies in sera from cases presenting with seizures were screened by ELISA in a preliminary study in Odisha state which is a province in Eastern coastal India that was never explored before. Patients presenting with recent onset of seizures within age group 5 to 50 years, either local residents of Odisha or inhabitants from other parts of the country living for at least one year period in the study area were included.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The present study showed 43.75% cases with seizures to be confirmed neurocysticercosis (NCC) based on serology and brain imaging. However, statistically no association was established between anti-Cysticercus antibody detection and radio imaging characteristics (location, number of lesions, and stage).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This is the first study in Odisha presenting a series of cases with serological evidence of exposure to the parasite along with imaging characteristics which was consistent with NCC. It is recommended that NCC must be considered for a differential diagnosis in each active epilepsy case irrespective of prior prevalence information in all unexplored provinces in India and other endemic regions; also a compulsory reporting is warranted in order to aid in quantifying its actual burden.
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Department of Immunology Laboratory, School of Biotechnology, KIIT University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India. Division of Pathology, School of Medicine, International Medical University , Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia .
authors.forename: Priyadarshi Soumyaranjan
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Sahu
authors.affiliation: Associate Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, Kalinga Institute of Medical Sciences, KIIT University , Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India .
authors.forename: Shubhransu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Patro
authors.affiliation: Consultant Neurologist, Department of Neurology, Kalinga Institute of Medical Sciences, KIIT University , Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India .
authors.forename: Payod Kumar
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Jena
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, SCB Medical College and Hospital , Cuttack, Odisha, India .
authors.forename: Santosh Kumar
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Swain
authors.affiliation: Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, SCB Medical College and Hospital , Cuttack, Odisha, India .
authors.forename: Bidyut Kumar
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Das
keywords: Cysticercus cellulosae; ELISA; Epilepsy; Taenia solium