Neurocysticercosis as a cause of epilepsy and seizures in two community-based studies in a cysticercosis-endemic region in Peru.
BACKGROUND:The prevalence of epilepsy added to inadequate treatment results in chronic morbidity and considerable mortality in poor populations. Neurocysticercosis (NCC), a helminthic disease of the central nervous system, is a leading cause of seizures and epilepsy in most of the world. METHODS:Tak...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Public Library of Science (PLoS)
2014-02-01
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| Series: | PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases |
| Online Access: | http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC3923674?pdf=render |
| _version_ | 1818133850547552256 |
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| author | Luz M Moyano Mayuko Saito Silvia M Montano Guillermo Gonzalvez Sandra Olaya Viterbo Ayvar Isidro González Luis Larrauri Victor C W Tsang Fernando Llanos Silvia Rodríguez Armando E Gonzalez Robert H Gilman Hector H Garcia Cysticercosis Working Group in Peru |
| author_facet | Luz M Moyano Mayuko Saito Silvia M Montano Guillermo Gonzalvez Sandra Olaya Viterbo Ayvar Isidro González Luis Larrauri Victor C W Tsang Fernando Llanos Silvia Rodríguez Armando E Gonzalez Robert H Gilman Hector H Garcia Cysticercosis Working Group in Peru |
| author_sort | Luz M Moyano |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | BACKGROUND:The prevalence of epilepsy added to inadequate treatment results in chronic morbidity and considerable mortality in poor populations. Neurocysticercosis (NCC), a helminthic disease of the central nervous system, is a leading cause of seizures and epilepsy in most of the world. METHODS:Taking advantage of a cysticercosis elimination program, we performed two community-based cross-sectional studies between 2006 and 2007 in 58 rural communities (population 20,610) to assess the prevalence and characteristics of epilepsy and epileptic seizures in this endemic region. Serological and computed tomography (CT) data in individuals with epilepsy were compared to previous surveys in general population from the same region. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS:In two surveys, 17,450 individuals were evaluated. Lifetime prevalence of epilepsy was 17.25/1000, and prevalence of active epilepsy was 10.8/1000 inhabitants. The prevalence of epilepsy increased after age 25 years and dropped after age 45. Only 24% (45/188) of patients with active epilepsy were taking antiepileptic drugs, all at sub-therapeutic doses. Antibodies to cysticercosis were found in approximately 40% of individuals with epilepsy in both studies. In one survey only individuals presenting strong antibody reactions were significantly associated with having epilepsy (OR 5.74; p<0.001). In the second, the seroprevalence as well as the proportion presenting strong antibody reactions were both significantly higher in individuals with epilepsy (OR 2.2 and 4.33, respectively). Brain CT showed NCC-compatible images in 109/282 individuals with epilepsy (39%). All individuals with viable parasites on CT were seropositive. CONCLUSION:The prevalence of epilepsy in this cysticercosis endemic region is high and NCC is an important contributor to it. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-11T08:59:17Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-f9d3bec00ebb4e4fac34d1e31e42fec8 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1935-2727 1935-2735 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-11T08:59:17Z |
| publishDate | 2014-02-01 |
| publisher | Public Library of Science (PLoS) |
| record_format | Article |
| series | PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases |
| spelling | doaj.art-f9d3bec00ebb4e4fac34d1e31e42fec82022-12-22T01:13:49ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases1935-27271935-27352014-02-0182e269210.1371/journal.pntd.0002692Neurocysticercosis as a cause of epilepsy and seizures in two community-based studies in a cysticercosis-endemic region in Peru.Luz M MoyanoMayuko SaitoSilvia M MontanoGuillermo GonzalvezSandra OlayaViterbo AyvarIsidro GonzálezLuis LarrauriVictor C W TsangFernando LlanosSilvia RodríguezArmando E GonzalezRobert H GilmanHector H GarciaCysticercosis Working Group in PeruBACKGROUND:The prevalence of epilepsy added to inadequate treatment results in chronic morbidity and considerable mortality in poor populations. Neurocysticercosis (NCC), a helminthic disease of the central nervous system, is a leading cause of seizures and epilepsy in most of the world. METHODS:Taking advantage of a cysticercosis elimination program, we performed two community-based cross-sectional studies between 2006 and 2007 in 58 rural communities (population 20,610) to assess the prevalence and characteristics of epilepsy and epileptic seizures in this endemic region. Serological and computed tomography (CT) data in individuals with epilepsy were compared to previous surveys in general population from the same region. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS:In two surveys, 17,450 individuals were evaluated. Lifetime prevalence of epilepsy was 17.25/1000, and prevalence of active epilepsy was 10.8/1000 inhabitants. The prevalence of epilepsy increased after age 25 years and dropped after age 45. Only 24% (45/188) of patients with active epilepsy were taking antiepileptic drugs, all at sub-therapeutic doses. Antibodies to cysticercosis were found in approximately 40% of individuals with epilepsy in both studies. In one survey only individuals presenting strong antibody reactions were significantly associated with having epilepsy (OR 5.74; p<0.001). In the second, the seroprevalence as well as the proportion presenting strong antibody reactions were both significantly higher in individuals with epilepsy (OR 2.2 and 4.33, respectively). Brain CT showed NCC-compatible images in 109/282 individuals with epilepsy (39%). All individuals with viable parasites on CT were seropositive. CONCLUSION:The prevalence of epilepsy in this cysticercosis endemic region is high and NCC is an important contributor to it.http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC3923674?pdf=render |
| spellingShingle | Luz M Moyano Mayuko Saito Silvia M Montano Guillermo Gonzalvez Sandra Olaya Viterbo Ayvar Isidro González Luis Larrauri Victor C W Tsang Fernando Llanos Silvia Rodríguez Armando E Gonzalez Robert H Gilman Hector H Garcia Cysticercosis Working Group in Peru Neurocysticercosis as a cause of epilepsy and seizures in two community-based studies in a cysticercosis-endemic region in Peru. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases |
| title | Neurocysticercosis as a cause of epilepsy and seizures in two community-based studies in a cysticercosis-endemic region in Peru. |
| title_full | Neurocysticercosis as a cause of epilepsy and seizures in two community-based studies in a cysticercosis-endemic region in Peru. |
| title_fullStr | Neurocysticercosis as a cause of epilepsy and seizures in two community-based studies in a cysticercosis-endemic region in Peru. |
| title_full_unstemmed | Neurocysticercosis as a cause of epilepsy and seizures in two community-based studies in a cysticercosis-endemic region in Peru. |
| title_short | Neurocysticercosis as a cause of epilepsy and seizures in two community-based studies in a cysticercosis-endemic region in Peru. |
| title_sort | neurocysticercosis as a cause of epilepsy and seizures in two community based studies in a cysticercosis endemic region in peru |
| url | http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC3923674?pdf=render |
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