A5073083707- Parasitic Diseases Research and Treatment
- Parasite Biology and Host Interactions
- Parasites and Host Interactions
- Epilepsy research and treatment
- Insects and Parasite Interactions
- Pharmacological Effects and Toxicity Studies
- Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
- Machine Learning in Healthcare
- Infectious Encephalopathies and Encephalitis
- Parkinson's Disease Mechanisms and Treatments
- Neurological disorders and treatments
- Helminth infection and control
- Tuberculosis Research and Epidemiology
- Pneumonia and Respiratory Infections
- Neurological diseases and metabolism
- Primate Behavior and Ecology
- Malaria Research and Control
- Pregnancy and Medication Impact
- Cystic Fibrosis Research Advances
- COVID-19 diagnosis using AI
- Drug Transport and Resistance Mechanisms
- Mosquito-borne diseases and control
National Institute for Medical Research
2019-2024
University of Oxford
2024
African Population and Health Research Center
2024
University of Nairobi
2024
University of Antwerp
2019-2022
Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre
2020
Background Community-directed treatment with ivermectin (CDTi) is used to eliminate onchocerciasis. However, despite 25 years of annual CDTi in Mahenge, Tanzania, the prevalence onchocerciasis and onchocerciasis-associated epilepsy remained high certain rural villages. Therefore, 2019, bi-annual was introduced area. This study assessed impact programme on incidence four Methodology Door-to-door surveys were conducted prior (2017/18) after (2021) implementing a program. All household members...
BackgroundIdentification of convulsive epilepsy in sub-Saharan Africa relies on access to resources that are often unavailable. Infrastructure and resource requirements can further complicate case verification. Using machine-learning techniques, we have developed tested a region-specific questionnaire panel predictive model identify people who had seizure. These findings been implemented into free app for health-care workers Kenya, Uganda, Ghana, Tanzania, South Africa.MethodsIn this...
There is increasing epidemiological evidence supporting the association between onchocerciasis and seizures, reinforcing concept of onchocerciasis-associated epilepsy (OAE). The aim this paper to provide an update on new knowledge about OAE propose recommendations World Health Organization how address public health problem. During 2nd International Workshop held 19-21 September, 2023, in Antwerp, Belgium, participants recognised as a substantial yet neglected problem, particularly areas...
To describe the clinical manifestations of epilepsy and access to antiseizure treatment in Mahenge Central Tanzania, an onchocerciasis endemic area with a high prevalence epilepsy. A door-to-door survey was conducted four rural two sub-urban villages. Trained community workers used five screening questions identify persons suspected have Such individuals were interviewed examined by neurologist or medical doctor additional training epilepsy, tested for Onchocerca volvulus antibodies. total...
Nodding syndrome (NS) has been consistently associated with onchocerciasis. Nevertheless, a positive association between NS and Mansonella perstans infection was found in South Sudan. We aimed to determine whether the latter parasite could be risk factor for Mahenge.Cases of epilepsy were identified villages affected by Mahenge, Tanzania, matched controls without same sex, age village. examined blood films cases identify M. infections. The participants also asked sociodemographic...
Epidemiological evidence suggests that Onchocerca volvulus is associated with epilepsy, although the exact pathophysiological mechanism unknown. Mahenge an endemic focus of onchocerciasis, longest-running ivermectin treatment intervention in Tanzania. We assessed prevalence onchocerciasis and epilepsy after 25 years control using ivermectin.
Despite a long history of community-directed treatment with ivermectin (CDTI), high ongoing Onchocerca volvulus transmission is observed in certain onchocerciasis-endemic regions Africa prevalence epilepsy. We investigated factors associated higher microfilarial (mf) density after treatment. Skin snips were obtained from O. volvulus-infected persons epilepsy before, and 3 to 5 months Participants enrolled 4 study sites: Maridi (South Sudan); Logo Aketi (Democratic Republic Congo); Mahenge...
A clinical trial performed in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), among persons with epilepsy (PWE) infected Onchocerca volvulus treated anti-seizure medication suggested that ivermectin reduces seizure frequency. We assessed effect treatment on frequency PWE and without three onchocerciasis endemic areas (Maridi, South Sudan; Aketi, DRC; Mahenge, Tanzania). Pre- 3–5 months post-ivermectin microfilariae densities skin snips were assessed. After ivermectin, median (IQR) percentage...
A high burden of epilepsy has been reported in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) particularly onchocerciasis endemic areas. To improve the quality life persons with (PWE) Mahenge, an onchocerciasis-endemic area Tanzania, we established peer support groups (PSG) two out four rural villages (Mdindo, Msogezi, Mzelezi and Sali). One year later (between February July 2020), carried a cross-sectional survey among PWE their caregivers aim comparing perceived stigma study sites without PSG. Perceived was...
Despite 20 years of ivermectin mass distribution in the Mahenge area, Tanzania, prevalence onchocerciasis and epilepsy has remained high rural villages.We investigated efficacy reducing Onchocerca volvulus microfilariae predictors for parasitic load following treatment persons with (PWE) without (PWOE).Between April September 2019, 50 PWE 160 randomly selected PWOE from Msogezi Mdindo villages participated a follow-up study. Skin snips were obtained pre (baseline) three months...
Introduction Despite over 20 years of community-directed treatment with ivermectin (CDTI) in Mahenge area Tanzania, the prevalence onchocerciasis has remained high (over 40% children 6-10 using antibody testing and 49% skinsnips adults). The one highest epilepsy, exceeding 3.5% some rural villages. Methods Between June July 2019, four villages qualitative methods, we assessed factors potentially associated persistence Onchocerca volvulus transmission. Results Eleven focus group discussions...
In onchocerciasis-endemic areas, limited access to antiseizure medications (ASMs) contributes a high epilepsy burden. This study evaluated the impact of community-based care program in Mahenge, Tanzania, an area with prevalence.
There is growing epidemiological evidence that onchocerciasis may induce epilepsy. High prevalence of has been reported in onchocerciasis-meso and hyper-endemic regions. We aimed to determine the OV16 antibody persons with epilepsy (PWE) four onchocerciasis-endemic PWE were identified during studies Mahenge area (Tanzania), Kitgum Pader districts (Uganda), Mbam Sanaga river valleys (Cameroon), Logo health zone (Democratic Republic Congo). Exposure Onchocerca volvulus was assessed by testing...
Abstract Background : Despite 20 years of ivermectin mass distribution in the Mahenge area, Tanzania, prevalence onchocerciasis and epilepsy has remained high rural villages. We investigated efficacy reducing Onchocerca volvulus microfilariae predictors for parasitic load following treatment persons with without two Methods Between April September 2019, 50 (PWE) 160 randomly selected (PWOE) from Msogezi Mdindo villages participated a follow-up study. Skin snips were obtained pre- (baseline)...
Onchocerciasis is known to cause skin lesions and blindness, but there also epidemiological evidence that onchocerciasis associated with epilepsy, including nodding syndrome. We carried out ocular exams in persons epilepsy Mahenge, an endemic area a high prevalence of Tanzania. recruited 278 consecutive attending the clinic at Mahenge hospital satellite clinics rural villages. They underwent general physical detailed examination were tested for Ov16 IgG4 antibodies. Glaucoma was defined by...
In South Sudan, three case-control studies found a positive association between Nodding Syn-drome (NS) and Mansonella perstans infection. To investigate whether M. could play the primary sole causal role in development of NS, we examined blood films persons with without epilepsy rural villages affected by NS Mahenge, Tanzania, to identify infections. Study participants were also for onchocercal nodules skin lesions tested presence anti-O. volvulus antibodies (Ov16 ELISA). One hundred...