search
for
 About Bioline  All Journals  Testimonials  Membership  News


African Health Sciences
Makerere University Medical School
ISSN: 1680-6905
EISSN: 1680-6905
Vol. 13, No. 2, 2013, pp. 183-204
Bioline Code: hs13030
Full paper language: English
Document type: Research Article
Document available free of charge

African Health Sciences, Vol. 13, No. 2, 2013, pp. 183-204

 en Nodding syndrome in Mundri county, South Sudan: environmental, nutritional and infectious factors
Spencer, P S; Vandemaele, K; Richer, M; Palmer, V S; Chungong, S; Anker, M; Ayana, Y; Opoka, M L; Klaucke, B N; Quarello, A & Tumwine, J K

Abstract

Background: Nodding Syndrome is a seizure disorder of children in Mundri County, Western Equatoria, South Sudan. The disorder is reported to be spreading in South Sudan and northern Uganda.
Objective: To describe environmental, nutritional, infectious, and other factors that existed before and during the de novo 1991 appearance and subsequent increase in cases through 2001.
Methods: Household surveys, informant interviews, and case-control studies conducted in Lui town and Amadi village in 2001-2002 were supplemented in 2012 by informant interviews in Lui and Juba, South Sudan.
Results: Nodding Syndrome was associated with Onchocerca volvulus check for this species in other resources and Mansonella perstans check for this species in other resources infections, with food use of a variety of sorghum (serena) introduced as part of an emergency relief program, and was inversely associated with a history of measles infection. There was no evidence to suggest exposure to a manmade neurotoxic pollutant or chemical agent,other than chemically dressed seed intended for planting but used for food. Food use of cyanogenic plants was documented,and exposure to fungal contaminants could not be excluded.
Conclusion: Nodding Syndrome in South Sudan has an unknown etiology. Further research is recommended on the association of Nodding Syndrome with onchocerciasis/mansonelliasis and neurotoxins in plant materials used for food.

Keywords
Epilepsy; filariasis; sorghum; neurotoxins; neurotoxins; Moru; Dinka

 
© Copyright 2013 - African Health Sciences

Home Faq Resources Email Bioline
© Bioline International, 1989 - 2024, Site last up-dated on 01-Sep-2022.
Site created and maintained by the Reference Center on Environmental Information, CRIA, Brazil
System hosted by the Google Cloud Platform, GCP, Brazil