Onchocerciasis-Associated Epilepsy, an Additional Reason for Strengthening Onchocerciasis Elimination Programs.

Onchocerciasis-Associated Epilepsy, an Additional Reason for Strengthening Onchocerciasis Elimination Programs. Trends Parasitol. 2017 Dec 26;: Authors: Colebunders R, Nelson Siewe FJ, Hotterbeekx A Abstract A high prevalence of epilepsy has been observed in onchocerciasis-endemic regions with high onchocerciasis transmission. Recent epidemiological studies suggest that Onchocerca volvulus infection is the trigger causing the seizures, which appear in previously healthy children between the ages of 3 and 18 years. Persons with onchocerciasis-associated epilepsy present with a wide spectrum of seizures, including atonic and myoclonic neck seizures; but also absences and most frequently generalized tonic-clonic seizures. Often individuals present with intellectual disabilities and psychiatric disorders and occasionally with 'Nakalanga' features such as severe stunting with delayed or absent external signs of sexual development. Onchocerciasis-associated epilepsy, because of its importance as a public health problem, is an additional reason for strengthening onchocerciasis elimination programs. PMID: 29288080 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: Trends in Parasitology - Category: Parasitology Authors: Tags: Trends Parasitol Source Type: research