Ankle clonus and thiocyanate, linamarin, and inorganic sulphate excretion in school children in communities with konzo, Mozambique

Cliff, Julie; Nicala, D; Saúte, Francisco; Givragy, R; Azambuja, Guilherme Serpa; Taela, Atanasio; Chavane, Leonardo; Gani, Abrar

doi:10.1093/tropej/45.3.139

Cited by 25 publications

(22 citation statements)

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“…Cliff and colleagues [58] also reported on a project where they examined 397 children for ankle clonus in three districts previously affected by konzo. The study found that the proportion of children with clonus ranged from 4% to 22%.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pattern and Epidemiology of Poisoning in the East African Region: A Literature Review

Tagwireyi

Chingombe

Khoza

et al. 2016

Journal of Toxicology

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The establishment and strengthening of poisons centres was identified as a regional priority at the first African regional meeting on the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) in June 2006. At this meeting, the possibility of a subregional poisons centre, that is, a centre in one country serving multiple countries, was suggested. The WHO Headquarters following consultation with counterparts at the WHO Regional Office for Africa (AFRO) and the SAICM Africa Regional Focal Point successfully submitted a proposal to the SAICM Quick Start Programme (QSP) Trust Fund Committee for a feasibility study into a subregional poisons centre in the Eastern Africa subregion. However, before such a study could be conducted it was deemed necessary to carry out a literature review on the patterns and epidemiology of poisoning in this region so as to inform the feasibility study. The current paper presents the results of this literature review. The literature search was done in the months of June and July 2012 by two independent reviewers with no language or publication date restrictions using defined search terms on PUBMED. After screening, the eventual selection of articles for review and inclusion in this study was done by a third reviewer.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pattern and Epidemiology of Poisoning in the East African Region: A Literature Review

Tagwireyi

Chingombe

Khoza

et al. 2016

Journal of Toxicology

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“…The risk of cyanide toxicity from cassava is increased because not only is the part that is consumed highly cyanogenic but it also frequently forms a large proportion of the overall diet. Sulphur-containing amino acids (methionine and cysteine) are required to detoxify cyanide in humans [70,99,100] (see Figure 6). Cassava tubers are a poor source of protein, and the leaves, which are eaten as a protein supplement, are particularly low in these amino acids [101].…”

Section: Cyanogens In Cassava: Impacts On Human Healthmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cassava: The Drought, War and Famine Crop in a Changing World

et al. 2010

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Cassava is the sixth most important crop, in terms of global annual production. Cassava is grown primarily for its starchy tuberous roots, which are an important staple for more than 800 million people, mostly in sub-Saharan Africa, but also in other parts of Africa, Asia, the Pacific and South America. Cassava is important for both small-scale farmers and larger-scale plantations due to its low requirement for nutrients, ability to tolerate dry conditions and easy low-cost propagation. It is sometimes referred to as the "drought, war and famine crop of the developing world" and reliance upon this crop is expected to increase in the coming years as the global climate changes. As with all crops, cassava presents some challenges which need to be addressed, especially if its production is to continue to expand. We highlight here a number of key issues around the continued and increased reliance upon cassava as a staple food crop. Cassava contains cyanogenic glycosides that release hydrogen cyanide and many cultivars are toxic if not processed before consumption. The degree of toxicity is altered by plant breeding, agricultural practice, environmental conditions and methods of food preparation. We conclude that use OPEN ACCESSSustainability 2010, 2 3573 of cassava has the potential to help many countries achieve food security in a sustainable manner, in the face of significant environmental change, but that its introduction should be accompanied by appropriate education about its toxicity.

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“…Second, key biomarkers e.g. those of exposure to cyanogenic compounds such as the urinary levels of thiocyanate (SCN) do display poor fidelity to the individual diseases listed above (Lancet, 1984, Banea-Mayambu et al, 1997, Cliff et al, 1999). Third, there appear to be a wide spectrum of neuropathological features in the same individual diseases (Oluwole et al, 2000, Tshala-Katumbay et al, 2001b, Tshala-Katumbay et al, 2002a, Tshala-Katumbay et al, 2002b, Mwanza et al, 2003b, Madhusudanan et al, 2008).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Determinants of cognitive performance in children relying on cyanogenic cassava as staple food

et al. 2014

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Background While risk factors for konzo are known, determinants of cognitive impairment in konzo-affected children remain unknown. Method We anchored cognitive performance (KABC-II scores) to serum levels of free-thyroxine (free-T4), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), albumin, and motor proficiency (BOT-2 scores) in 40 children including 21 with konzo (median age: 9 years) and 19 without konzo (median age: 8 years). A multiple regression model was used to determine variables associated with changes in KABC-II scores. Results Age (β: − 0.818, 95%CI: − 1.48, − 0.152) (p=0.018), gender (β: − 5.72; 95% CI: − 9.87, −1.57 for females) (p=0.009), BOT-2 score (β: 0.390; 95% CI: 0.113, 0.667) (p=0.008), and free-T4 (β: 1.88; 95% CI: 0.009, 3.74) (p=0.049) explained 61.1% of variation in KABC-II scores. Subclinical hypothyroidism was not associated with poor cognition. A crude association was found between serum albumin and KABC-II scores (β: 1.26; 95% CI: 0.136, 2.39) (p=0.029). On spot urinary thiocyanate reached 688 μmol/l in children without konzo and 1032 μmol/L in those with konzo. Conclusion Female gender and low serum albumin are risk factors common to cognitive and proportionally associated motor deficits in children exposed to cassava cyanogens. The two types of deficits may share common mechanisms.

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Ankle clonus and thiocyanate, linamarin, and inorganic sulphate excretion in school children in communities with konzo, Mozambique

Cited by 25 publications

References 0 publications

Pattern and Epidemiology of Poisoning in the East African Region: A Literature Review

Pattern and Epidemiology of Poisoning in the East African Region: A Literature Review

Cassava: The Drought, War and Famine Crop in a Changing World

Determinants of cognitive performance in children relying on cyanogenic cassava as staple food

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