03338nas a2200409   4500000000100000008004100001653003900042653001900081653001100100653002200111653001300133653002300146653002100169653001500190100001800205700001300223700001500236700001700251700001800268700001300286700001400299700001400313700001700327700001600344700001100360700001500371700001200386700001200398700001300410700001100423245008600434856007700520300000700597490000600604520230400610022001402914       2018                            d10aNeglected tropical diseases (NTDs)10aonchocerciasis10aAfrica10aBurden of Disease10aEpilepsy10aNakalanga syndrome10aNodding syndrome10aPrevalence1 aColebunders R1 aMandro M1 aNjamnshi A1 aBoussinesq M1 aHotterbeekx A1 aKamgno J1 aO'Neill S1 aHopkins A1 aSuykerbuyk P1 aBasáñez M1 aPost R1 aPedrique B1 aPreux P1 aStolk W1 aNutman T1 aIdro R00aReport of the first international workshop on onchocerciasis-associated epilepsy.  uhttps://idpjournal.biomedcentral.com/track/pdf/10.1186/s40249-018-0400-0  a230 v73 a<p><strong>BACKGROUND: </strong>Recently, several epidemiological studies performed in Onchocerca volvulus-endemic regions have suggested that onchocerciasis-associated epilepsy (OAE) may constitute an important but neglected public health problem in many countries where onchocerciasis is still endemic.</p>

<p><strong>MAIN TEXT: </strong>On October 12-142017, the first international workshop on onchocerciasis-associated epilepsy (OAE) was held in Antwerp, Belgium. The workshop was attended by 79 participants from 20 different countries. Recent research findings strongly suggest that O. volvulus is an important contributor to epilepsy, particularly in meso- and hyperendemic areas for onchocerciasis. Infection with O. volvulus is associated with a spectrum of epileptic seizures, mainly generalised tonic-clonic seizures but also atonic neck seizures (nodding), and stunted growth. OAE is characterised by an onset of seizures between the ages of 3-18 years. Multidisciplinary working groups discussed topics such as how to 1) strengthen the evidence for an association between onchocerciasis and epilepsy, 2) determine the burden of disease caused by OAE, 3) prevent OAE, 4) improve the treatment/care for persons with OAE and affected families, 5) identify the pathophysiological mechanism of OAE, and 6) deal with misconceptions, stigma, discrimination and gender violence associated with OAE. An OAE Alliance was created to increase awareness about OAE and its public health importance, stimulate research and disseminate research findings, and create partnerships between OAE researchers, communities, advocacy groups, ministries of health, non-governmental organisations, the pharmaceutical industry and funding organizations.</p>

<p><strong>CONCLUSIONS: </strong>Although the exact pathophysiological mechanism underlying OAE remains unknown, there is increasing evidence that by controlling and eliminating onchocerciasis, OAE will also disappear. Therefore, OAE constitutes an additional argument for strengthening onchocerciasis elimination efforts. Given the high numbers of people with epilepsy in O. volvulus-endemic regions, more advocacy is urgently needed to provide anti-epileptic treatment to improve the quality of life of these individuals and their families.</p>
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