Diagnostic Criteria of Del Brutto et al for Neurocysticercosis

 

Classes of criteria:

(1) absolute

(2) major

(3) minor

(4) epidemiologic

 

Absolute criteria:

(1) histologic demonstration of the parasite from a biopsy of a brain or spinal cord lesion

(2) cystic lesions showing the scolex on CT or MRI

(3) direct visualization of subretinal parasites by fundoscopic examination

 

Major criteria:

(1) lesions highly suggestive of neurocysticercosis on neuroimaging studies

(2) positive serum immunoblot for the detection of anticysticercal antibodies

(3) resolution of intracranial cystic lesions after therapy with albendazole or praziquantel

(4) spontaneous resolution of small, single enhancing lesion

 

Minor criteria:

(1) lesions compatible with neurocysticercosis on neuroimaging studies

(2) clinical manifestations suggestive of neurocysticercosis

(3) positive CSF ELISA for detection of anticysticercal antibodies or cysticercal antigens

(4) cysticercosis outside of the central nervous system

 

Epidemiologic criteria:

(1) evidence of a household contact with Taenia solium infection

(2) individuals coming from or living in an area where cysticercosis is endemic

(3) history of frequent travel to disease-endemic areas

 

 

Absolute	Major	Minor	Epidemiologic	Diagnosis
1	0	0	0	definitive
0	2	1	1	definitive
0	1	2	0	probable
0	1	1	1	probable
0	0	3	1	probable

 

where:

• I would think that a category for "possible" diagnosis could be with positive findings not meeting the above categories,