Symptoms associated with neurocysticercosis in people in the urban nd peri-urban of the municipality of coyaima the department of tolima and possible associated variables

Abstract

Introduction: The complex teniasis/cysticercosis is a worldwide public health problem. Colombia epidemiological studies shows the presence of parasites in humans resulting in neurocysticercosis (NCC).

Objective: To determine the symptoms associated with neurocysticercosis in people in the urban and peri-urban area of the town of Coyaima in the Department of Tolima and possible associated variables.

Materials and methods: a descriptive cross-sectional study was performed in the inhabitants of the urban and peri-urban area of the town of Coyaima in the Department of Tolima, who socialized informed consent. The 159 people that they agreed to participate voluntarily, is filled them a structured epidemiological survey, 5ml of blood making peripheral and simultaneously by finger stick blood collected in 4mm diameter filter paper circles; Similarly be asked a coprological sample that was set with MIF reagent to 5% and was processed with the concentration of formol-eter technique and finally stored at 4°C. Serologic evaluation, used the ELISA technique under the following parameters: Antigen fraction of 53kDa of the metacestodo of Taenia solium.; concentration of 0,4μg/ml, dilution of serum and whole blood taken with filter1/1, total serum conjugated 1/2500 and 1/100 paper. Statistical analysis included calculation of frequencies and Chi square 2 x 2 contingency tables.

Results: Of 159 participants, 17%(27/159) were diagnosed positive, and of these, 67%(18/27) presented any symptoms of possible partnership with NCC. Symptoms of greater frequency in the population studied were: head­ache, 19.5%; decrease of visual acuity, 5.7%; late-onset seizure, 4.4%; accidents cerebrovascular and alteration of consciousness 1.3% and 0.6%; respectively. Confirmed four people with NCC, of the positive Group(4/27) three female and one male, by techniques such as tomography Axial-TAC or magnetic resonance-MRI Imaging. The symp­tomatology of greatest relevance for these patients was seizure of late-onset and headache. The overall prevalence of intestinal parasitism in the participant population was 43.3%, identified in the 2%(3/159) rated, eggs of Taenia spp.; and of these a person positive turn, with symptoms (seizure of late-onset and headache) compatible with NCC and subsequent confirmation by TAC, suggesting a mixed parasitic infections by the adult stage and the metacestodo of T. solium.; in the patient.

Conclusions: 17%(27/159) of the studied population was positive, four persons were confirmed by imaging with NCC, whose symptoms of greater importance were seizure of late-onset and headache. The feminine gender is prone to suffer parasitosis. We found the presence of eggs of Taenia. spp.; in 2% of the population participating in the study. The variable sources of water for consumption presented statistical significance p≤ 0.05.