Author/Authors :
Winkler, AS Haydom Lutheran Hospital, Tanzania , Winkler, AS Technical University of Munich - Department of Neurology, Germany , Friedrich, K Medical University of Innsbruck - Department of Neurology, Austria , Velicheti, S Aga Khan Hospital - Department of Radiology, Tanzania , Dharsee, J Aga Khan Hospital - Department of Radiology, Tanzania , König, R Medical University of Innsbruck - Department of Neurology, Austria , Nassri, A Medical University of Innsbruck - Department of Neurology, Austria , Meindl, M Medical University of Innsbruck - Department of Neurology, Austria , Kidunda, A Mahenge District Hospital, Tanzania , Müller, TH Ludwig-Maximilians-University - Institute for Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiolgy, Germany , Jilek-Aall, L University of British Columbia - Department of Psychiatry, Canada , Matuja, W Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences - Department of Neurology, Tanzania , Gotwald, T Medical University of Innsbruck - Department of Radiology, Austria , Schmutzhard, E Medical University of Innsbruck - Department of Neurology, Austria
Abstract :
Background: Onchocerciasis has been implicated in the pathogenesis of epilepsy. The debate on a potential causal relationship between Onchocerca volvulus and epilepsy has taken a new direction in the light of the most recent epidemic of nodding syndrome. Objective: To document MRI changes in people with different types of epilepsy and investigate whether there is an association with O. volvulus infection. Methods: In a prospective study in southern Tanzania, an area endemic for O. volvulus with a high prevalence of epilepsy and nodding syndrome, we performed MRI on 32 people with epilepsy, 12 of which suffered from nodding syndrome. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of O. volvulus was performed in skin and CSF. Results: The most frequent abnormalities seen on MRI was atrophy (twelve patients (37.5%)) followed by intraparenchymal pathologies such as changes in the hippocampus (nine patients (28.1%)), gliotic lesions (six patients (18.8%)) and subcortical signal abnormalities (three patients (9.4%)). There was an overall trend towards an association of intraparenchymal cerebral pathologies and infection with O. volvulus based on skin PCR (Fisher’s Exact Test p=0.067) which was most pronounced in children and adolescents with nodding syndrome compared to those with other types of epilepsy (Fisher’s Exact Test, p=0.083). Contrary to skin PCR results, PCR of CSF was negative in all patients. Conclusion: The observed trend towards an association of intraparenchymal cerebral pathological results on MRI and a positive skin PCR for O. volvulus despite negative PCR of CSF is intriguing and deserves further attention.
Keywords :
Epilepsy , head nodding , magnetic resonance imaging , cerebrospinal fluid. Onchocerca volvulus
