A new immunologic test for CNS cysticercosis.

A new radioimmunoassay for cerebral cysticercosis was studied in 70 patients. The assay showed nearly 100% sensitivity for ventricular cysts or meningitis, 86% sensitivity for multiple parenchymal cysts, and a false-positive rate of 7%. Both serum and CSF antibody levels were useful diagnostically, and the contribution of both improved accuracy. In some patients, there was endogenous CNS production of IgG against the cysticercus antigen, which leads to elevated CSF levels and normal serum levels. Patients with high CSF total IgG levels may show false-positive CSF antibody elevation with normal serum levels.