Seizures in a tropical setting work-up

 

Screening tests

Serum glucose, electrolytes, calcium/phosphorus, magnesium, uric acid, liver, renal CPK, arterial blood gasses, ammonia, thyroid function tests, .

Septic work-up

Drug screening: benzodiazepines, opiates, barbiturates, ethanol, theophylline, anti-epileptic drugs, tricyclic antidepressants.

ANA, ENA, anti-ds-DNA, ANCA, RF, complement

CBC, ESR

Serology: HIV

Funduscopy (toxocariasis, cysticercosis)

Chest X-ray, X-ray limbs (cysticercosis)

PPD

EEG

Brain MRI/MRV

CSF

Chemistry, cell count, smear and stainings, PCR (TB, HSE).

 

Specific investigations

Blood/serum

EITB (neurocysticercosis), ELISA (schistosomiasis, toxocariasis)

Biopsy

Rectal mucosa (schistosomiasis)

Skin (schistosomiasis)

Liver (amebiasis, schistosomiasis)

Brain biopsy

 

 

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