INTRODUCTION: Several reports indicate high prevalences of both onchocerciasis and epilepsy in some regions of Africa. This raises the question of whether these diseases are associated. We therefore investigated people with epilepsy and/or onchocerciasis living in an area in Tanzania endemic for Onchocerca volvulus (O. volvulus). METHODS: We collected clinical information, skin snips, and blood from 300 individuals, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from 197. Participants were allocated to 4 groups consisting of people with epilepsy and onchocerciasis (n=135), those with either epilepsy (n=61) or onchocerciasis only (n=35), and healthy individuals (n=69). Samples were evaluated for microfilaria, IgG4 antibodies against O. volvulus, O. volvulus antibody index (CSF/serum), and CSF routine parameters. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed on skin snips and CSF. RESULTS: No difference was found in microfilarial density between participants with and without epilepsy (P=0.498). The antibody index was raised in 2 participants. CSF PCR was negative in all samples tested. DISCUSSION: Our results do not give evidence of a relationship between O. volvulus and epilepsy. Despite the fact that 2 participants had raised antibody index, the existence of cerebral onchocerciasis caused by migration of microfilariae into the CSF appears unlikely. However, to date unexplored reactions to the infestation with O. volvulus causing epilepsy cannot be excluded.
INTRODUCTION: Several reports indicate high prevalences of both onchocerciasis and epilepsy in some regions of Africa. This raises the question of whether these diseases are associated. We therefore investigated people with epilepsy and/or onchocerciasis living in an area in Tanzania endemic for Onchocerca volvulus (O. volvulus). METHODS: We collected clinical information, skin snips, and blood from 300 individuals, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from 197. Participants were allocated to 4 groups consisting of people with epilepsy and onchocerciasis (n=135), those with either epilepsy (n=61) or onchocerciasis only (n=35), and healthy individuals (n=69). Samples were evaluated for microfilaria, IgG4 antibodies against O. volvulus, O. volvulus antibody index (CSF/serum), and CSF routine parameters. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed on skin snips and CSF. RESULTS: No difference was found in microfilarial density between participants with and without epilepsy (P=0.498). The antibody index was raised in 2 participants. CSF PCR was negative in all samples tested. DISCUSSION: Our results do not give evidence of a relationship between O. volvulus and epilepsy. Despite the fact that 2 participants had raised antibody index, the existence of cerebral onchocerciasis caused by migration of microfilariae into the CSF appears unlikely. However, to date unexplored reactions to the infestation with O. volvulus causing epilepsy cannot be excluded.
Authors: Christoph Kaiser; Tom Rubaale; Ephraim Tukesiga; Walter Kipp; Geoffrey Kabagambe; Joa Okech Ojony; George Asaba Journal: Am J Trop Med Hyg Date: 2011-08 Impact factor: 2.345
Authors: Anelia Dietmann; Bernd Wallner; Rebekka König; Katrin Friedrich; Bettina Pfausler; Florian Deisenhammer; Andrea Griesmacher; Christoph Seger; William Matuja; Louise JilekAall; Andrea S Winkler; Erich Schmutzhard Journal: Afr Health Sci Date: 2014-06 Impact factor: 0.927
Authors: A S Winkler; K Friedrich; S Velicheti; J Dharsee; R König; A Nassri; M Meindl; A Kidunda; T H Müller; L Jilek-Aall; W Matuja; T Gotwald; E Schmutzhard Journal: Afr Health Sci Date: 2013-06 Impact factor: 0.927