PACIENTES NEUROLÓGICOS DEL NOROESTE DEL PERÚ CON SEROLOGÍA POSITIVA POR WESTERN BLOT A LA LARVA DE Taenia solium

Abstract

Objective: To determine the frequency of patients presenting with neurological symptoms in Northwestern Peru who have positive Western Blot serology to Taenia solium larvae. Material and Methods: The study was performed in 3515 patients, from zero to ninety years old and from both sexes, who presented with neurological symptoms. Patients came from Piura, Lambayeque, Cajamarca, Ancash, and La Libertad departments, as well as from certain areas in the jungle (5 to 10o southern latitude; 77 to 82o western longitude). Those patients were taken care of in private offices and in Neurology services in Belen and Regional hospitals in Trujillo, from January 1997 to December 2000. A blood sample was obtained from all patients, and the sera were processed using the Western Blot technique, which has 91% sensitivity and 100% specificity. Results: Positive serological Western Blot tests were detected in 562 patients, representing 16 per cent prevalence, and the infection was more frequent in males (58.4%). Age groups more frequently found to have positive serological tests were those form 41 to 50 years old (18.7%), and those from 31 to 40 years old (17.4%). The maximum percentages for positive serological tests were obtained in patients from Piura and Lambayeque. Conclusions: Patients studied show a high frequency of positive serology for Taenia solium larvae.