Diagnostic methods
Parasitological diagnosis
The diagnosis relies on the detection of proglottids or eggs in fresh stool samples. Caution: T. solium eggs are infectious (see cysticercosis)!
Eggs of T. solium and T. saginata are morphologically identical.
Gravid proglottids of T. solium and T. saginata can be differentiated after ink injection (less than 13 uterine branches in T. solium, more than 15 in T. saginata).
Molecular diagnosis
No tests developed so far
Antigen detection
Detection of copro-antigens can be achieved with immunoassays. Microplate assays are more sensitive than dipsticks.
Antibody detection
Infections with adult T. solium can also be indirectly and specifically diagnosed by EITB using excretory-secretory antigens of non-gravid tapeworms.
Diagnostic strategies
- To diagnose an individual case
Diagnosis relies on coprologic examination
- To assess prevalence in an endemic area
For field studies antigen detection is an efficient method
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