A Rapid Point-of-Care Assay for Cysticercosis Antigen Detection in Urine Samples

Abstract

ABSTRACT. We report a proof-of-concept study using a dipstick assay to detect Taenia solium antigen in urine samples of 30 patients with subarachnoid neurocysticercosis and 10 healthy control subjects. Strips were read in blind by two readers. The assay detected antigen in 29 of 30 cases and was negative in all 10 control samples. Although this study was performed in samples from individuals with subarachnoid neurocysticercosis who likely had high circulating antigen levels, it provides the proof of concept for a functional urine antigen point-of-care assay that detects viable cysts. Such an assay could serve to support a clinical diagnosis of suspect neurocysticercosis or to identify patients at risk of developing severe disease in areas where medical resources are limited, providing evidence to refer these individuals for imaging and specialized care as needed.