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Saliva Screening Test for Taeniasis, Cysticercosis, and Neurocysticercosis (NCC)

Saliva Screening Test for Taeniasis, Cysticercosis, and Neurocysticercosis (NCC)
By Med Support News May 22, 2026

Tapeworm (Taenia solium) Infection - Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment Test for Taeniasis, Cysticercosis, and Neurocysticercosis (NCC)Saliva Screening Test for Taeniasis, Cysticercosis, and Neurocysticercosis (NCC)

Taenia solium is present in developed and developing countries throughout the world, including the United States, and anyone can be affected. A 20-month-old child from Minnesota, who had no history of international travel or pork consumption, was diagnosed with neurocysticercosis, according to a case report published in 2005. The authors suggest that neurocysticercosis must be considered and ruled out in any child with nonfebrile seizures in the US because exposure to international travelers has become so common.1

Moreover, NCC is the most common cause of adult-acquired epilepsy worldwide.2 The incidence of NCC ranges from approximately 1.5 to 5.8 cases per 100,000 individuals in the US. The highest prevalence is observed among Hispanic immigrants, and individuals who have either immigrated from or traveled to endemic areas. Cities with large immigrant populations, such as Los Angeles, Houston, and New York City, report a significantly higher number of NCC cases.3

Tapeworm (Taenia solium) Infection - Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment Test for Taeniasis, Cysticercosis, and Neurocysticercosis (NCC)Depression, anxiety, or other symptoms associated with neurocysticercosis suggest the need for a Taenia solium screening test, at the very least. The unique and non-invasive DiagnosTechs T-SOL Taenia solium (tapeworm) antibody, sIgA saliva test screens for a mucosal immune response to Taenia solium. The larvae penetrate the walls of the GI tract to cause cysticercosis and neurocysticercosis, which could elicit a clinically detectable immune response in serum, saliva, and CSF.4-7

Additional assessment to diagnose a current infection with Taenia solium is required when the saliva antibody test is positive since it is not a diagnostic test. Moreover, antibody detection does not indicate active cysticercosis or taeniasis is present since antibody production can result from exposure alone in the absence of an acute infection. Furthermore, the lifespan of Taenia-specific antibodies varies and depends on the immune history of the host and the burden or severity of infection. Therefore, antibodies can remain elevated long after successful treatment.8

A false negative test result is possible during acute taeniasis due to the limited contact between the intestinal tapeworm and the mucosal tissue, potentially leading to a muted inflammatory response.8 Further testing is required if the T-SOL saliva antibody test is negative but the patient’s symptoms are consistent with a diagnosis of taeniasis, cysticercosis, or neurocysticercosis.

Further assessment could include the DiagnosTechs GP2B stool microscopy test, imaging, biopsy, serum antibody testing, endoscopy, electromyography, or other tests as indicated per diagnostic guidelines and the clinical presentation of the patient.9.10

Tapeworm (Taenia solium) Infection - Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment Test for Taeniasis, Cysticercosis, and Neurocysticercosis (NCC)More information is available at these links:

To place a test order, click here. As a reminder, DiagnosTechs will drop ship test kits directly to your patients.

Tapeworm (Taenia solium) Treatment - Taeniasis, Cysticercosis, and Neurocysticercosis (NCC)References:

  1. Mody R, Nield LS, Stauffer W, Kamat D. Seizures in a 20-month-old native of Minnesota: a case of neurocysticercosis. Pediatr Emerg Care. 2005;21(12):860-862. doi:10.1097/01.pec.0000190232.20233.45
  2. Opara NU. Cortical Blindness Due to Neurocysticercosis in an Adolescent Patient. Trop Med Infect Dis. 2022;7(6):96. doi:10.3390/tropicalmed7060096
  3. Osorio Borjas M, Hernandez RJ, Lopez-Lacayo A, et al. Echoes of Dormancy: Anomic Aphasia Unveils Neurocysticercosis Reactivation in a Patient on Semaglutide. NeuroSci. 2025;6(2):40. doi:10.3390/neurosci6020040
  4. Flisser A, Plancarte A, Correa D, et al. New approaches in the diagnosis of Taenia solium cysticercosis and taeniasis. Ann Parasitol Hum Comp. 1990;65 Suppl 1:95-98. doi:10.1051/parasite/1990651095
  5. Saha R, Roy P, Das S, et al. Anti-cysticercus antibody detection in saliva as a potential diagnostic tool for neurocysticercosis. Ann Indian Acad Neurol. 2016;19(3):414-416. doi:10.4103/0972-2327.179972
  6. Feldman M, Plancarte A, Sandoval M, et al. Comparison of two assays (EIA and EITB) and two samples (saliva and serum) for the diagnosis of neurocysticercosis. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg. 1990;84(4):559-562. doi:10.1016/0035-9203(90)90040-l
  7. Acosta E. Antibodies to the metacestode of Taenia solium in the saliva from patients with neurocysticercosis. J Clin Lab Anal. 1990;4(2):90-94. doi:10.1002/jcla.1860040204
  8. Lesh EJ, Brady MF. Tapeworm. [Updated 2023 Aug 28]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537154/
  9. Bandyopadhyay D, Sen S. Disseminated cysticercosis with huge muscle hypertrophy. Indian J Dermatol. 2009;54(1):49-51. doi:10.4103/0019-5154.48987
  10. El-Kady AM, Allemailem KS, Almatroudi A, et al. Psychiatric Disorders of Neurocysticercosis: Narrative Review. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2021;17:1599-1610. doi:10.2147/NDT.S306585