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Abstract: Objective: To estimate the seroprevalence, morbidity of Taenia solium (T. solium) cysticercosis and its relationship to socio-economic, sanitary parameters. Methods: Using multistage stratified random sampling, 2 500 subjects from urban (n=1 250) and rural population (n = 1 250) of Lucknow, India were registered. Blood, stool samples, socioeconomic and demographic data were collected. Serum enzyme-linked-immunosorbent-assay (ELISA) was used to detect anticysticercus IgG and IgM antibodies. Microscopic examination of stool samples after processing by concentration method was done to observe taeniasis and other intestinal parasites. CT scan of seropositive cases presenting with seizures was done for confirmation of neurocysticercosis. Results: The overall, urban and rural seroprevalence of T. solium cysticercosis was 3.48%, 4.64% and 2.32%, respectively. The risk factors significantly associated with the disease were pig rearing in both study populations, unsanitary waste disposal in urban, vegetarian diet and open defecation in rural population. One case of intestinal taeniasis was observed. Twenty-six of 30 cases undergoing CT scan were diagnosed as neurocysticercosis. Conclusions: Seroprevalence of cysticercosis is high in the study community. Prevalence of cysticercosis is related to roaming pigs and behavioral and environmental practices in local community. Health education and identification of tapeworm carriers seems promising control strategy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We performed in vivo diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in a total of 33 patients with brain tuberculomas (BT). Thirteen of them had surgical excision of the lesion as it was clinically indicated, and in these samples matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) expression was quantified. We correlated the results of DTI indices like fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), linear anisotropy (CL), planar anisotropy (CP) and spherical anisotropy (CS) with MMP-9 expression. In addition, the remaining 20 patients had serial DTI studies while on specific anti-tuberculous drug therapy and DTI indices in these patients were quantified. The FA, CL and CP significantly decreased while MD and CS significantly increased in BT compared to normal white matter. The FA, CL and CP showed negative correlation with MMP-9 while CS correlated positively. In serial follow-up studies in 20 patients FA, CL and CP showed significant increase while CS decreased significantly over time. We conclude that DTI indices show strong correlation with MMP-9 and these may be used as a surrogate marker of MMP-9 expression in BT. In addition, these indices may be of value in assessing the therapeutic response in patients with BT who are treated only with specific anti-tuberculous drugs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]