Table 1.

Diagnostic criteria [derived from (20, 21)].

Definitive • Histological demonstration of the parasite from biopsy of a brain or spinal cord lesion • Evidence of cystic lesions showing the scolex on neuroimaging studies • Direct visualization of subretinal parasites by fundoscopic examination $\text{Neuroimaging criteria:}$ $\text{Major neuroimaging criteria:}$ • $\text{Multilobulated cystic lesions in the subarachnoid space}$ • $\text{Typical parenchymal brain calcifications}$ $\text{Confirmative neuroimaging criteria}$ • $\text{Resolution of cystic lesions after cysticidal drug therapy}$ • $\text{Spontaneous resolution of single small enhancing lesions}$ • $\text{Migration of ventricular cysts documented on sequential neuroimaging studies}$ $\text{Minor neuroimaging criteria}$ • $\text{Obstructive hydrocephalus (symmetric or asymmetric) or abnormal enhancement of basal leptomeninges}$

Clinical/exposure criteria Major • Evidence of lesions highly suggestive of neurocysticercosis on neuroimaging studies • Positive serum immunoblot for the detection of anticysticeral antibodies $\text{or cysticeral antigens by well-standardized immunological tests}$ • $\text{Resolution of intracranial cystic lesions after therapy with albendazole or praziquantel}$ • $\text{Spontaneous resolution of single small enhancing lesions}$ • $\text{Cysticercosis outside the central nervous system}$ • $\text{Evidence of contact with }\mathit{T.\; solium}\text{ infection}$

Minor • Evidence of lesions compatible with neurocysticercosis on neuroimaging • Presence of clinical manifestations suggestive of neurocysticercosis • Positive CSF ELISA for the detection of anticysticeral antibodies or cysticeral antigens • Evidence of cysticercosis outside the central nervous system • $\text{Individuals coming from or living in an area where cysticercosis is endemic}$

Epidemiological • $\text{Individuals coming from or living in an area where cysticercosis is endemic}$ • History of travel to disease-endemic areas • $\text{Evidence of household contact with }\mathit{T.\; solium}\text{ infection}$

Degrees of diagnostic certainty Definitive • Presence of one absolute criterion • Presence of two major plus one minor and one epidemiological criteria • $\text{Two major neuroimaging criteria plus any clinical/exposure criteria}$ • $\text{One major and one confirmative neuroimaging criteria plus any clinical/exposure criteria}$ • $\text{One major criterion plus two clinical/exposure criteria (including at least one major clinical/exposure criterion) together with the exclusion of other pathologies producing similar neuroimaging findings}$ Probable • Presence of one major $\text{neuroimaging}$ plus two minor $\text{clinical/exposure}$ criteria • Presence of one major plus one minor and one epidemiological criterion • Presence of three minor and one epidemiological criterion • $\text{One minor neuroimaging criteria plus at least one major clinical/exposure criteria}$

Diagnostic criteria from 2001 (in black) and changes from Del Brutto et al. (21) (in red). Criteria moved or deleted from the original are in blue. CSF, cerebrospinal fluid; ELISA, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.