In this study, we investigated the frequency of co-existence of
cerebral
cysticercosis (CC) in
Japanese encephalitis (JE) cases with special emphasis on its role in predicting
the final clinical
outcome. Amongst the 163 confirmed cases of JE, 37·42% (61/163)
had
co-existent CC. This
was confirmed by antibody detection in the CSF of 45 cases, CT scan of
the brain
in 6 cases
and at autopsy in 3 cases. In 2 cases confirmation was possible by CT scan
as
well as at
autopsy, in 4, CSF antibody levels and CT scan were suggestive of CC while
in 1,
CSF antibodies and autopsy were suggestive of CC. The co-occurrence of
Cysticercus cellulosae in
the brain emerged as a prognosticator of poor outcome in JE cases
(P<0·03).