Evaluating epilepsy management in an onchocerciasis-endemic area: Case of Maridi, South Sudan

Human onchocerciasis is a neglected tropical disease caused by the filarial nematode Onchocerca volvulus. The infection is transmitted by infectious bites of blackflies. Clinical manifestations caused by O. volvulus microfilariae include skin and eye disease (river blindness). In onchocerciasis-endemic regions with ongoing or past O. volvulus transmission, an increased prevalence of epilepsy and nodding syndrome (NS) has been observed [1]. Recent epidemiological studies suggest that onchocerciasis may directly or indirectly induce seizures, called onchocerciasis-associated epilepsy (OAE) [2].

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