Publication
Title
Onchocerciasis-associated epilepsy : an update and future perspectives
Author
Abstract
Onchocerciasis-associated epilepsy (OAE) is an important neglected public health problem in areas with high ongoing onchocerciasis transmission. The risk that children in such areas develop epilepsy is related to their Onchocerca volvulus microfilarial (mf) load. Before the implementation of mass treatment with ivermectin, microfilariae were detected in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). More recently, neither O. volvulus microfilariae nor DNA were detected in CSF or brain tissue; however, these samples were obtained years after seizure onset. It is possible that during fever-induced increased blood–brain barrier permeability, microfilariae enter the brain and, upon dying, cause an inflammatory reaction inducing seizures. Including OAE in the onchocerciasis disease burden estimation may mobilise extra resources for onchocerciasis disease elimination and treatment/care of OAE-affected persons/families.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Trends in parasitology. - London
Publication
London : 2023
ISSN
1471-4922
DOI
10.1016/J.PT.2022.11.010
Volume/pages
39 :2 (2023) , p. 126-138
ISI
001018907300001
Pubmed ID
36528471
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (publisher's version - intranet only)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Project info
Stopping the burden of disease caused by onchocerciasis-associated epilepsy.
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier c:irua:192949
Creation 12.01.2023
Last edited 13.12.2024
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