<i>Taenia solium</i>
            cysticercosis in Africa.

Druet‐Cabanac, Michel; Ramanankandrasana, Bienvenue; Bisser, Sylvie; Dongmo, L.; Avode, Gilbert; Nzisabira, L.; Dumas, Michel; Preux, P.M.

doi:10.1079/9780851996288.0129

Cited by 3 publications

(4 citation statements)

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“…When CT results are used to identify NCC, the proportion of epilepsy patients with evidence of NCC was 37%, which is higher than what would have been identified based on either ELISA test. This proportion is also comparable to many reports based on neuroimaging findings from other endemic regions [25] , [27] . Only 15% of those with seizures had lesions with either a demonstrated scolex or that were described as colloidal or cystic; seizures in these patients may be more correctly classified as acute symptomatic seizures.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

“…This proportion is also comparable to many reports based on neuroimaging findings from other endemic regions [25],[27]. Only 15% of those with seizures had lesions with either a demonstrated scolex or that were described as colloidal or cystic; seizures in these patients may be more correctly classified as acute symptomatic seizures.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 87%

“…Nearly one-third of epilepsy patients were seropositive to T. solium antibodies. This proportion is within the range of that reported from endemic countries of Sub-Saharan Africa using the antibody-ELISA test [25] , [26] .…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 83%

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Accuracy of Serological Testing for the Diagnosis of Prevalent Neurocysticercosis in Outpatients with Epilepsy, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

et al. 2009

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BackgroundFew studies have estimated prevalence of neurocysticercosis (NCC) among persons with epilepsy in sub-Saharan Africa. While the limitations of serological testing in identification of NCC are well known, the characteristics of persons who are misdiagnosed based on serology have not been explored. The first objective of this pilot study was to estimate the prevalence of NCC in epilepsy outpatients from an area of South Africa endemic for cysticercosis. The second objective was to estimate the accuracy of serological testing in detecting NCC in these outpatients and characterize sources of disagreement between serology and neuroimaging.Methodology/Principal FindingsAll out-patients aged 5 or older attending the epilepsy clinic of St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Lusikisiki, Eastern Cape Province, between July 2004 and April 2005 were invited to participate. Epidemiological data were collected by local study staff using a standardized questionnaire. Blood samples were tested by ELISA for antibody and antigen for Taenia solium. Four randomly chosen, consenting participants were transported each week to Mthatha for brain CT scan. The proportion of persons with epilepsy attending St. Elizabeth clinic with CT-confirmed NCC was 37% (95% CI: 27%–48%). Using CT as the gold standard, the sensitivity and specificity of antibody testing for identifying NCC were 54.5% (36.4%–71.9%) and 69.2% (52.4%–83.0%), respectively. Sensitivity improved to 78.6% (49.2%–95.3%) for those with active lesions. Sensitivity and specificity of antigen testing were considerably poorer. Compared to false negatives, true positives more often had active lesions. False positives were more likely to keep pigs and to have seizure onset within the past year than were true negatives.Conclusions/SignificanceThe prevalence of NCC in South African outpatients with epilepsy is similar to that observed in other countries where cysticercosis is prevalent. Errors in classification of NCC using serology alone may reflect the natural history of NCC.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 87%

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Accuracy of Serological Testing for the Diagnosis of Prevalent Neurocysticercosis in Outpatients with Epilepsy, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

et al. 2009

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“…When the central nervous system (CNS) is invaded by C. cellulosae causing neurocysticercosis (NCC), this leads to severe pathogenic conditions. NCC is considered an important cause of neurologic diseases in Latin America, Africa, and Asia (Preux et al., 1996; White, 1997; Pal et al., 2000; Singh et al., 2000; Druet‐Cabanac et al., 2002; Del Brutto et al., 2005) and has a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations, with seizures being the most frequent. In Latin America, NCC has proven to be a major cause of epilepsy (Garcia et al., 1993; Del Brutto, 2005; Montano et al.…”

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confidence: 99%

Meta‐analysis of the association between cysticercosis and epilepsy in Africa

et al. 2010

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Summary Purpose: The association between cysticercosis and epilepsy has been widely studied in Latin America and Asia and has proven to be one of the main causes of epilepsy. Despite high prevalences of both diseases in Africa, their association remains unclear. In this article we quantified the strength of the association between epilepsy and cysticercosis in Africa and we proposed some guidelines for future studies. Methods: We performed a systematic review of literature on cysticercosis (considered as exposure) and epilepsy (considered as the disease) and collected data from both cross‐sectional and case–control studies. A common odds ratio was estimated using a random‐effects meta‐analysis model of aggregate published data. Results: Among 21 retrieved documents, 11 studies located in 8 African countries were included in the meta‐analysis. Odds ratio of developing epilepsy when presenting cysticercosis (defined as Taenia solium seropositivity) ranged from 1.3–6.1. Overall, association between cysticercosis and epilepsy was found significant with a common odds ratio of 3.4 [95% confidence interval (CI) 2.7–4.3; p < 0.001]. Discussion: The variability of the association found between the studies could be due to differences in study design or in pathogenesis of cysticercosis. Further studies should overcome identified problems by following some guidelines to improve epidemiologic and clinical assessment of the association. Better understanding of the relation between cysticercosis and epilepsy is a key issue in improving prevention of epilepsy in Africa.

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The Potential Role of Store-Operated Calcium Entry (SOCE) Pathways in the Pathophysiology of Epilepsy and Migraine-Like Headaches in Patients with Neurocysticercosis

Fogang¹,

Tatuene²,

Tegueu³

et al. 2017

J Neurol Neurol Sci Disord

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Cysticercosis is the most common helminthic disease of the nervous system in humans. The clinical presentation of neurocysticercosis (NCC) is nonspecifi c and can mimic a wide array of primary central nervous system (CNS) disorders, making its diagnosis a challenge especially in endemic areas. The pathophysiology of episodic CNS manifestations of NCC is not well understood. We support the hypothesis that mechanisms used by cysticerci to escape the host's immune system interfere with store-operated calcium entry (SOCE) pathways. This interference may modify brain excitability, leading to episodic manifestations like epilepsy and headaches. Recent fi ndings suggest that the store-operated calcium entry (SOCE) signaling pathway expressed in host tissues is downregulated by cysticerci ligands. SOCE regulates a vast array of cellular functions in excitable and non-excitable cells including modulation of neuronal excitability and regulation of synaptic plasticity. Inhibition of the SOCE signaling pathway alters synaptic plasticity and synchronization of cortical neuronal networks in vitro and in vivo. These modifi cations may lower seizure or headache thresholds, increasing the probability of developing these disorders. This hypothesis could be explored to improve our understanding of the mechanisms involved in episodic manifestations of NCC. If confi rmed, potential therapeutic opportunities could be expected from pharmacological modulations of specifi c proteins in the SOCE signaling pathway.

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Taenia solium cysticercosis in Africa.

Cited by 3 publications

References 0 publications

Accuracy of Serological Testing for the Diagnosis of Prevalent Neurocysticercosis in Outpatients with Epilepsy, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

Accuracy of Serological Testing for the Diagnosis of Prevalent Neurocysticercosis in Outpatients with Epilepsy, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

Meta‐analysis of the association between cysticercosis and epilepsy in Africa

The Potential Role of Store-Operated Calcium Entry (SOCE) Pathways in the Pathophysiology of Epilepsy and Migraine-Like Headaches in Patients with Neurocysticercosis

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