Onchocerciasis: Neurological Involvement

Njamnshi, Alfred K.; Bissek, Anne-Cécile Zoung-Kanyi; Etya’ale, Daniel

doi:10.1007/978-1-4614-8100-3_8

Cited by 3 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 85 publications

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“…It is estimated that 99% of the 20.9 million individuals currently infected with O. volvulus live in Africa [ 1 ]. In addition to the clinical symptoms, onchocerciasis is a stigmatizing condition, which engenders significant psychosocial stress in the affected individuals [ 2 , 3 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Onchocerciasis in the Ntui Health District of Cameroon: epidemiological, entomological and parasitological findings in relation to elimination prospects

et al. 2022

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Background Despite decades of community-directed treatment with ivermectin (CDTI), onchocerciasis transmission persists in Cameroon and has been associated with increased risk for epilepsy in endemic communities. We investigated the onchocerciasis situation in the Ntui Health District (a known onchocerciasis focus in Cameroon where the Sanaga River constitutes the main source of black fly vectors) using parasitological, entomological and serological parameters. Methods In July 2021, community-based surveys were conducted in four villages (Essougli, Nachtigal, Ndjame and Ndowe). Onchocerciasis was diagnosed via microscopic examination of skin snips. Using rapid diagnostic tests, we screened children aged 3–6 years for Ov16 antibodies as a proxy for recent onchocerciasis transmission. Monthly black fly biting rates were obtained from the two riverside villages (Nachtigal and Essougli) for 12 consecutive months (July 2021 to June 2022) using the human landing catch technique. Some black flies were dissected each month to check for infection. Results Overall, 460 participants were recruited; mean age was 32.1 (range: 3–85) years with 248 (53.9%) being males. Among skin snipped participants (n = 425), onchocerciasis prevalence was 14.6%. Participants with epilepsy (n = 25) were more often skin snip positive (45.8% vs 12.7%; P < 0.001) and had higher microfilarial loads (9.2 ± 22.0 vs 0.7 ± 3.5 microfilariae/skin snip; P < 0.001) compared to their peers without epilepsy. Eight (6.5%) of the 123 tested children were Ov16 seropositive. The breeding sites we investigated along the Sanaga River during the current study harbored fewer vectors (annual biting rates reaching 530,322 vs 606,370 in the Mbam River) and exhibited lower black fly infection rates (annual transmission potentials reaching 1479 vs 4488 in the Mbam River) when compared to recent entomological reports in Cameroon. Conclusion Despite substantial biting rates, black fly infection rates (by microscopy) in the Ntui Health District were rather low resulting in overall low transmission potentials in study villages. Thanks to CDTI, O. volvulus infection in both humans and insects is on the decrease. However, there is evidence that O. volvulus is still endemic in these communities. Reducing the vector population will further accelerate onchocerciasis elimination prospects. Graphical Abstract

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Onchocerciasis in the Ntui Health District of Cameroon: epidemiological, entomological and parasitological findings in relation to elimination prospects

et al. 2022

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“…Today it is estimated that 37 million people are infected by Ov, of whom 99% live in Africa . In infected persons, the adult female worms form subcutaneous nodules and release thousands of microfilariae daily, leading to itching, dermatitis, blindness (all well‐known complications of onchocerciasis), and epilepsy …”

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confidence: 99%

Onchocerciasis‐associated epilepsy: From recent epidemiological and clinical findings to policy implications

et al. 2017

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SummaryA high prevalence of epilepsy is reported in many onchocerciasis‐endemic regions. In this paper we discuss recent epidemiological and clinical aspects as well as public health implications of onchocerciasis‐associated epilepsy (OAE) and propose a strategy to reduce the burden of disease. OAE probably presents in a variety of clinical manifestations, including the nodding syndrome and the Nakalanga syndrome. The most common clinical presentation, however, is generalized (primarily tonic‐clonic) seizures. A characteristic of OAE is the onset of seizures between the ages of 3 and 18 years and clustering in certain families and villages close to rapid‐flowing black‐fly‐infested rivers. A strategy combining active surveillance for epilepsy with early treatment with antiepileptic drugs and prevention of onchocerciasis by increasing the geographical and therapeutic coverage of community‐directed treatment with ivermectin (CDTi) may considerably decrease the burden of disease.

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“…It primarily affects the working-age population in rural Africa’s tropics and subtropics [ 3 ]. It was the world’s second-leading infectious cause of blindness in 2015[ 4 ] and it is a stigmatizing disease that causes severe psychological stress [ 5 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…airborne, (6)drinking stream water,(5)walking barefoot, (5)malnutrition, (5) ("michii), (4)scarcity of food,(2) eating sweet food, (1)allergy, (1)stagnant water, (1)cattles dung, (1)cold, sweat, (1)drinking contaminated water,(1) eating meat and milk,(1)from bad and good smell things, (1)materials hygiene, (1)poverty, (1)raw fruit and vegetables, (1)takeoff sweat clothes and put on it, (1)playing in the dust,(1)washing by unclean water,(1)puberty,(1) exchange of soup, (1)good smell food,(1) dressing the cloth stayed in the sun †(3)skin pigmentation, (2)skin color change to grey, (2)leg swelling, (1)bedridden and death, (1)body ulceration,(1) …”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Community’s knowledge, perceptions and preventive practices on Onchocerciasis in Jimma zone, Ethiopia, formative mixed study

Abdissa,

Kebede,

Sudhakar

et al. 2024

PLoS Negl Trop Dis

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Background In Ethiopia, Onchocerciasis is a prevalent neglected tropical disease, currently targeted for elimination with mass drug administration and community behavioral changes towards sustained control and eventual elimination. This study aimed to elucidate the awareness, perceptions and practices of endemic communities in Jimma Zone, Ethiopia. Methods and materials Community-based cross-sectional study triangulated with qualitative method was conducted from October-November, 2021. A multistage sampling was employed and data were collected using a pre-tested interviewer-administered structured questionnaire. Logistic regression was used to identify the predictors of comprehensive knowledge and preventive practice. Adjusted odds ratios were calculated at 95% confidence interval (CI) and considered significant with a p-value of <0.05. Kruskal-Whallis and Mann-whitney tests were used to compare median risk perception score by socio-demographic factors. Qualitative data were collected through focus group discussions and key informant interviews and transcribed verbatim. Then the data were coded, categorized, and themes were developed. Result The overall prevalence of adequate comprehensive knowledge was 48.8% (95% CI: 44.9, 52.3), high risk perception was 18.7% (95%CI15.9, 21.4) and preventive practice was 46.9%(95%CI:(43.3,50.4). High risk perception[AOR = 1.95 95%CI: (1.32, 2.89] was statistically significant with comprehensive knowledge, likewise knowledge of mode of transmission [AOR = 2.64 95% CI: (1.44, 4.85)], knowledge of consequences [AOR = 2.12 95%CI: (1.21, 3.72)] and knowledge of preventive measures [AOR = 15.65,95%CI:(10.1, 24.2)] were statistically significant with preventive practice. The median risk perception was varied significantly between the groups by educational status, study district and age category. Qualitative evidence showed that there were great community knowledge gap about the disease. Conclusion Community knowledge, perceptions, and practices are unacceptably low. Risk perception was significantly associated with comprehensive knowledge, likewise knowledge of mode of transmission, consequences and preventive measures were significantly associated with preventive practice. This implies knowledge is a key component of effective prevention strategies as it is a necessary condition for the behavior change.

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Onchocerciasis: Neurological Involvement

Cited by 3 publications

References 85 publications

Onchocerciasis in the Ntui Health District of Cameroon: epidemiological, entomological and parasitological findings in relation to elimination prospects

Onchocerciasis in the Ntui Health District of Cameroon: epidemiological, entomological and parasitological findings in relation to elimination prospects

Onchocerciasis‐associated epilepsy: From recent epidemiological and clinical findings to policy implications

Community’s knowledge, perceptions and preventive practices on Onchocerciasis in Jimma zone, Ethiopia, formative mixed study

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