Research briefA lateral flow assay (LFA) for the rapid detection of extraparenchymal neurocysticercosis using cerebrospinal fluid

- Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is responsible for c.30% of preventable cases of epilepsy and 2.8 million DALY's.
- NCC is a 'silent' infection, characterised by late onset of neurological symptoms. Early diagnosis aids patient management.
- The HP10 Ag-ELISA, using cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), detects viable NCC and importantly extraparenchymally (EP) located NCC.
- A novel rapid Lateral Flow Assay (HP10-LFA) was positive for 34/34 CSF samples from viable EP-NCC cases, controls were -ve.
- The HP10-LFA was positive for 34/34 CSF samples from cases of active (viable) extraparenchymal NCC and negative for a total of 46 negative control CSF samples.
- This novel HP10-LFA should thus facilitate diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of NCC cases at hospital/clinic level.

A lateral flow assay (LFA) for the diagnosis and monitoring of extraparenchymal neurocysticercosis, has been developed. The assay is based on the use of the monoclonal antibody HP10, and when applied to cerebrospinal fluid, correctly identified 34 cases of active extraparenchymal neurocysticercosis, but was negative with 26 samples from treated and cured neurocysticercosis patients and with 20 samples from unrelated neurological diseases. There was complete agreement between the HP10 Ag-ELISA results and the HP10-LFA. The HP10-LFA thus has utility for diagnosis and treatment of extraparenchymal neurocysticercosis, frequently a more dangerous form of the infection.