Work

Cysticercosis and neurocysticercosis in Eastern Zambia: A cross-sectional, community-based study

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Objective: This study aimed to estimate the seroprevalence of cysticercosis and the prevalence of neurocysticercosis (NCC) among cysticercosis-positive participants, and to describe their clinical and radiological manifestations in rural Zambia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between June 2019 and December 2022 in the Eastern Province of Zambia. The serum antigen enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Ag-ELISA) and Cysticercosis immunoglobulin G (IgG) Western blot were used to detect cysticercosis. All cysticercosis (CC)-positive participants received further clinical work-up and cerebral computed tomography (CT) examination. Results: = 0.04)]. Regarding NCC lesions in people with epileptic seizures, 53% (52/99) and 96% (95/99) of all lesions were in the brain parenchyma and inactive (calcified), respectively. For people with headache, 68% (139/205) and 83% (170/205) of all lesions were in the parenchyma and inactive, respectively. Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate that cysticercosis and NCC are prevalent in this rural community in the Eastern Province of Zambia. Most of the patients with NCC had calcified lesions, and people with NCC more often had epileptic seizures and headache than those without NCC; only a few people had neurological deficits.

Source: IJID Regions

DOI: 10.1016/j.ijregi.2026.101018