Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42044104›Full record

ArticlePLoS neglected tropical diseases2026

Subarachnoid neurocysticercosis in a rural area of the Bolivian Chaco: A population-based survey through the use of a novel urine antigen assay.

Anna Barbiero, Maria Micieli, Yesenia Castillo, Cindy Espinoza Guerrero, Tiziana Di Maggio, Valentina Petrini, Michele Spinicci, Chiara Aguzzoli, Bianca Ribelli, Fabio Macchioni and 14 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in PLoS neglected tropical diseases, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

24 authors.

Anna BarbieroDepartment of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0004-4152-9346
Maria MicieliDepartment of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
Yesenia CastilloCenter for Global Health and Research and Development Laboratories, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru.
Cindy Espinoza GuerreroCenter for Global Health and Research and Development Laboratories, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru.
Tiziana Di MaggioDepartment of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.
Valentina PetriniDepartment of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
Michele SpinicciDepartment of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
Chiara AguzzoliSchool of Human Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
Bianca RibelliSchool of Human Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
Fabio MacchioniDepartment of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
Simona GabrielliDepartment of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
Silvio MenachoEiti Health Center, Eiti, Gutierrez, Bolivia.
Marianne StrohmeyerDepartment of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
Mimmo RoselliDepartment of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
Veronica PomaEscuela de Salud del Chaco Tekove Katu, Gutierrez, Bolivia.
Reinelda CuellarConvenio de Salud, Camiri, Bolivia.
Elizabeth CrespoHospital Hernández Vera, Santa Cruz, Bolivia.
Joaquín MonasterioServicio Departamental de Salud (SEDES) de Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, Bolivia.
Francesco CosmiConvenio de Salud, Camiri, Bolivia.
Walter Mario CamargoMedical Center Neuro Center, Santa Cruz, Bolivia.
Seth O'NealCenter for Global Health and Research and Development Laboratories, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru.
Hector Hugo GarciaCenter for Global Health and Research and Development Laboratories, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru.
Alessandra NicolettiDepartment of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia" (DGFI), University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
Alessandro BartoloniDepartment of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9758-1523

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is a major public health concern in low-middle-income countries. Subarachnoid NCC (SANCC), a less frequent form of NCC, is characterized by severe clinical evolution, high mortality and impactful neurological sequelae in survivors. However, due to a long pre-clinical period, early diagnosis and treatment of SANCC would likely improve the clinical course and reduce the occurrence of complications. To date, data on the prevalence of SANCC in endemic settings are scant, and there are no commercially available tests for SANCC screening in at-risk populations. Between October 2023 and May 2024, we conducted a population-based cross-sectional study aimed at implementing a non-invasive screening for SANCC in a low-resource area of the Plurinational State of Bolivia, using a home-made Ag-ELISA urine assay based on the monoclonal antibody set TsW5-TsW8. Questionnaires were also administered to the study population to assess the presence of behaviors and risk factors for active transmission of Taenia solium in the area. The study involved 1,232 subjects aged ≥10 years, 1,130 of whom delivered a urine sample. Among them, a median age of 27.4 years was observed, with 38.1% of subjects being males. Overall, 7 subjects with positive urine antigen test, confirmed on two different samples, were identified and underwent magnetic resonance imaging. The diagnosis of SANCC was radiologically confirmed in 4/7 subjects, for a prevalence of SANCC in the enrolled population of 3.54/1,000. The antigen assay showed a positive predictive value for SANCC of 57.1%. Risk factors for active transmission of T. solium, such as lack of access to adequate sanitation and the widespread practice of domestic pig breeding and sacrifice, were frequent. While further studies are needed to better define the diagnostic performance of the employed urine assay, this study confirms the presence of SANCC in the study area, consistent with evidence from similar endemic settings.

Indexed as

Antigens, HelminthNeurocysticercosisAdolescentAdultAnimalsBoliviaChildCross-Sectional StudiesEnzyme-Linked Immunosorbent AssayFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedPrevalenceRisk FactorsRural PopulationAntigens, Helminth

Identifiers

PMID42044104
PMCPMC13120252

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.