A child from rural Bihar is found to have Taenia solium cysticerci in the brain on MRI. The definitive diagnosis of neurocysticercosis is BEST confirmed by detecting antibodies against which antigen in serum or CSF?
- A Glycoproteins from cysticercus fluid — specifically the 8/6 kDa lentil-lectin purified glycoprotein (LLGP) antigens by EITB ✓
- B Oncosphere (hexacanth embryo) somatic antigens
- C Adult tapeworm tegument antigens
- D Proglottid-shed antigen detected by ELISA
Correct answer: A. Glycoproteins from cysticercus fluid — specifically the 8/6 kDa lentil-lectin purified glycoprotein (LLGP) antigens by EITB
Explanation
The enzyme-linked immunoelectrotransfer blot (EITB/Western blot) using lentil-lectin purified glycoproteins from cysticercus fluid is the serological gold standard for neurocysticercosis, with sensitivity ~98% and specificity ~100% for patients with 2+ cysts. Bands at 50, 39–42, 24, 21, 18, 14, and 13 kDa are diagnostic. Standard ELISA with crude antigens has lower specificity due to cross-reactivity with Echinococcus and other parasites.
Reference: Ananthanarayan & Paniker's Textbook of Microbiology, 11th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
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