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Epilepsy and neurocysticercosis in sub-Saharan Africa.
- Source :
-
Wiener klinische Wochenschrift [Wien Klin Wochenschr] 2009 Oct; Vol. 121 Suppl 3, pp. 3-12. - Publication Year :
- 2009
-
Abstract
- Over the last decades, studies in sub-Saharan Africa have indicated that epilepsy is a highly prevalent neurological disorder. Causes may be varied with infections of the central nervous system playing an important role. Neurocysticercosis (NCC) has recently been recognised as an emerging public health problem and a growing concern throughout sub-Saharan Africa and has been estimated to be responsible for 30-50% of acquired epilepsy. NCC is closely linked with porcine cysticercosis and human taeniosis, the former reaching a prevalence of almost 50% in some pig populations. In this review, we first summarize prevalence data on epilepsy and highlight some special aspects of the disorder within sub-Saharan Africa. We then focus on the prevalence of NCC, clinical signs and symptoms and diagnostic criteria for NCC with special reference to sub-Saharan Africa. This is followed by a section on the latest developments regarding serodiagnosis of cysticercosis and a section on care management of people infected with NCC. NCC clearly represents a major risk factor of epilepsy, thus detecting and treating NCC may help cure epilepsy in millions of people in sub-Saharan Africa.
- Subjects :
- Africa South of the Sahara epidemiology
Humans
Incidence
Population Surveillance
Risk Assessment
Risk Factors
Communicable Diseases, Emerging diagnosis
Communicable Diseases, Emerging epidemiology
Disease Outbreaks statistics & numerical data
Epilepsy diagnosis
Epilepsy epidemiology
Neurocysticercosis diagnosis
Neurocysticercosis epidemiology
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1613-7671
- Volume :
- 121 Suppl 3
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Wiener klinische Wochenschrift
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 19915809
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s00508-009-1242-3