Validity of a PCR assay in CSF for the diagnosis of neurocysticercosis.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To prospectively evaluate the validity of a PCR assay in CSF for the diagnosis of neurocysticercosis (NC).

Methods

We conducted a multicenter, prospective case-control study, recruiting participants from 5 hospitals in Cuenca, Ecuador, from January 2015 to February 2016. Cases fulfilled validated diagnostic criteria for NC. For each case, a neurosurgical patient who did not fulfill the diagnostic criteria for NC was selected as a control. CT and MRI, as well as a CSF sample, were collected from both cases and controls. The diagnostic criteria to identify cases were used as a reference standard.

Results

Overall, 36 case and 36 control participants were enrolled. PCR had a sensitivity of 72.2% (95% confidence interval [CI] 54.8%-85.8%) and a specificity of 100

SUBMITTER: Carpio A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5241005 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature