Skip to main content
Medical information Clinical review pending

Infection Testing

Cysticercosis Taenia Solium Antibody IgG Test

Detects antibodies to the Taenia solium parasite, which causes cysticercosis. This test helps diagnose infections potentially affecting the brain, muscles, and other tissues.

General information only: This page is not a diagnosis or personal medical advice. A qualified clinician should decide whether testing is appropriate and interpret results in context.

Review status: No completed medical review is recorded for this page.

Ask a question
Counselor guidance included Confidential handling Kenya-wide coordination

At a glance

Plan your test

Sample
Serum (Blood sample)
Results
Confirm with the laboratory before booking.
Preparation
No special preparation is required for this test. Confirm with the laboratory before booking.
Test priceKSh 3,042

Payment: M-Pesa and card options can be confirmed during booking.

Insurance & government schemes

Is this test covered for you?

We help you verify whether the Cysticercosis Taenia Solium Antibody IgG Test test can be claimed against your insurer, employer scheme or a Kenyan government health scheme — before you book. Coverage depends on your plan, clinical indication and your provider's rules; final approval always rests with them.

Talk to a claims advisor

Providers & schemes we can help you check

Government & public schemes

SHIF — Social Health Insurance Fund Linda Mama EduAfya NHIF (legacy cards)

Eligibility and benefits follow the current rules of the Social Health Authority (SHA) and applicable government programmes.

Private insurers & employer schemes

Jubilee Health AAR APA Britam CIC Madison Resolution Pioneer Minet Old Mutual GA Life Heritage + other licensed insurers

Names shown for identification only — listing does not imply partnership or guarantee of coverage.

Have these ready when we check

  • Insurer or scheme name & policy / member number
  • A clinician's request / prescription for the test
  • Pre-authorisation letter, if your plan requires one

Free coverage check

Ask us to verify your cover

Send your details and our claims team confirms what documents you need and whether pre-authorisation applies — usually the same working day.

+254

Used only to process your coverage check — see our Privacy Policy. Verification support is free and does not guarantee your provider will pay.

01

Start with fit

Is this the right test for you?

The best test starts with a clear clinical question. These are common reasons a clinician or family may consider this test.

  • ✓Symptoms suggestive of neurocysticercosis (e.g., seizures, headaches)
  • ✓Exposure risk (e.g., travel to endemic areas, consumption of undercooked pork)
  • ✓Muscle pain or unexplained lumps
  • ✓Evaluation of neurological symptoms
  • ✓Screening in endemic communities
  • ✓Contact tracing for infected individuals
02

In plain language

What this test helps you understand

This test aids in the diagnosis of cysticercosis, an infection caused by the larval stage of the Taenia solium tapeworm. It helps identify individuals exposed to the parasite, guiding further investigation and management.
The Cysticercosis Taenia Solium Antibody IgG Test is a diagnostic tool used to identify antibodies against the Taenia solium parasite. Infection with this parasite can lead to cysticercosis, a condition where larval cysts develop in various tissues, most seriously in the brain, muscles, and eyes. This test is important for individuals who may have been exposed through consuming undercooked pork or contaminated food and water.

This test measures the level of IgG antibodies in your blood. These antibodies are produced by your immune system in response to an infection caused by Taenia solium. A positive result suggests exposure to the parasite and the potential presence of cysticercosis.

Individuals experiencing symptoms like seizures, persistent headaches, or other neurological issues should consider this test. People with risk factors, such as travel to areas where cysticercosis is common, consuming undercooked pork, or exposure to untreated sewage, may also benefit from testing.
03

Medical review status

Clinical review pending

A completed medical review is not recorded for this page. No clinician has endorsed the information shown here. Please discuss testing decisions with a qualified healthcare professional.

Meet the DNA Labs Kenya medical team →
04

A simple process

What happens next?

You do not have to navigate the test alone. We help you move from question to next step.

1

Speak with us

We check the test and answer your questions before collection.

2

Give your sample

Choose home collection or a coordinated hub visit in Kenya. We explain whether this test uses a cheek swab or blood draw.

3

Understand your report

A counselor helps you understand the result and the next steps.

05

Choose your collection

Home collection or a lab visit

We will explain the sample, preparation, and next steps before anything is collected.

Home collection

Choose a coordinated visit at home or another convenient location. Our team confirms the appointment and sample requirements in advance.

Lab or hub visit

Prefer to visit a coordinated location? We can guide you to the right hub and explain what to expect when you arrive.

Ask about locations →
PreparationNo special preparation is required for this test. Confirm with the laboratory before booking.
SampleSerum (Blood sample)
MethodologyEnzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)
PrivacyYour sample and report are handled confidentially. Ask the team how your information is stored and shared.
A positive result indicates exposure to Taenia solium but does not confirm active cysticercosis. Cross-reactivity with other parasites may occur. False negatives are possible, especially early in infection or in immunocompromised individuals. Confirm with the laboratory before booking.
06

Read your report

What common result terms mean

PositiveA finding was identified. Your clinician or counselor will explain what it means for your care.
NegativeThe specific finding tested for was not identified. It does not rule out every possible cause.
VUSA variant was found, but current evidence is not enough to classify it. Your counselor can explain follow-up.
07

Questions people ask

Frequently asked questions

Cysticercosis is a parasitic tissue infection caused by larval cysts of the pork tapeworm, Taenia solium. These larvae can infect the brain, muscles, eyes, and other tissues.
People typically get cysticercosis by ingesting Taenia solium eggs, often through contaminated food or water, or poor hygiene. This is different from getting the adult tapeworm, which comes from eating undercooked pork containing larvae.
Symptoms depend on where the cysts are located. Neurocysticercosis (in the brain) can cause seizures, headaches, confusion, and neurological problems. Muscle cysts may cause pain or lumps. Eye cysts can affect vision.
Treatment depends on the location and number of cysts, as well as the patient's symptoms. Options may include antiparasitic medications, anti-inflammatory drugs, and sometimes surgery.
A positive test indicates exposure to the Taenia solium parasite. It does not automatically mean you have active cysticercosis. Further evaluation, including clinical assessment and potentially imaging, is needed to confirm the diagnosis.
This test is available at our laboratory branches across major cities in Kenya, including Nairobi and Mombasa. We also offer home sample collection services. Please contact us to book.
08

Collaboration

Open for partnership with hospitals, clinics, doctors & researchers

Whether you are referring patients, building a research programme or supporting students, we work as an extension of your team — with responsive communication and clear scientific standards.

Hospitals & clinics

Referral pathways, coordinated sample logistics and shared reporting that fits your clinical workflow.

Doctors & specialists

LOINC-coded reports, ACMG-based variant classification and a direct scientific line for complex cases.

Research institutions

Sanger sequencing, NGS panels and custom assays — with project design support, batch pricing and agreed turnaround commitments.

Students & academic projects

Discounted laboratory services for college, master's and PhD research projects — including proposal guidance and cost-effective batch testing.

Explore partnerships
09

Trust & transparency

Sources, standards & how this page is maintained

Standards & references

  • ACMG/AMP technical standards for sequence variant interpretation
  • ClinGen curation and gene–disease validity frameworks where applicable
  • LOINC-coded reporting for interoperable results
  • ISO 9001:2015 quality management; ISO 15189 accreditation in progress

Page provenance

  • Last updated: September 27, 2026
  • Medical review: not yet completed
  • Written for patients & clinicians in Kenya; reviewed periodically against current guidance

Medical disclaimer: this page is general information, not a diagnosis or personal medical advice. Testing decisions and result interpretation should be made with a qualified healthcare professional.

Keep exploring

Related tests

View all tests →
Chat on WhatsApp