Cuban Epidemic Neuropathy: Insights into the Toxic-Nutritional Hypothesis through International Collaboration.

Cuban Epidemic Neuropathy: Insights into the Toxic-Nutritional Hypothesis through International Collaboration. MEDICC Rev. 2018 Apr;20(2):27-31 Authors: González-Quevedo A, Santiesteban-Freixas R, Eells JT, Lima L, Sadun AA Abstract From 1991 to 1993, an epidemic of optic and peripheral neuropathy-the largest of the century-broke out in Cuba, affecting more than 50,000 people. Initially the main clinical features were decreased visual acuity, central and cecocentral scotomas, impaired color vision and absence of the papillomacular bundle. Later, peripheral and mixed optic-peripheral forms began to appear. Due to the magnitude of the epidemic, the Cuban government requested help from the international community at the 46th World Health Assembly in 1993. PAHO and WHO immediately responded by sending a mission of international experts. Several hypotheses regarding the pathogenesis of Cuban epidemic neuropathy were put forward including: toxic, nutritional, genetic and infectious. The authors refer to extensive studies by researchers sponsored by the Cuban government and PAHO/WHO, joined by scientists from several other countries, including the USA. This paper describes their multidisciplinary work, particularly devoted to investigating the hypothesis of a primary toxic-nutritional cause of the epidemic. Clinical aspects, such as case definition and clinical description, were vital issues from the start. Cuban physicians who first exami...
Source: MEDICC Review - Category: International Medicine & Public Health Tags: MEDICC Rev Source Type: research