The current status of neurocysticercosis in Eastern and Southern Africa

N. A. Mafojane, C. C. Appleton, R. C. Krecek, L. M. Michael, A. L. Willingham

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

95 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Some information has been documented on the epidemiology of neurocysticercosis in Eastern and Southern Africa through the monitoring of hospital-based patients with neurocysticercosis, community-based serological surveys of particular socio-economic groups of people and surveys of porcine cysticercosis. Studies have revealed that non-pork eaters have as great a chance of infection as a pork eater, the Xhosa-speaking people of the Eastern Cape Province have the highest prevalence of cysticercosis/taeniosis in South Africa probably due to the common practice of free-range pig farming and the lack of sanitation in these areas. Several studies have revealed high prevalence rates in children and interestingly, patients with active cysts suffering from epilepsy. A startling mode of transmission is where self-trained healers use Taenia segments either for benevolent (e.g. in the treatment of severe intestinal tapeworm infections) or malevolent (evil) purposes (e.g. women 'poisoning' an unfaithful husband or lover by adding the contents of Taenia solium segments to beer).

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)25-33
Number of pages9
JournalActa Tropica
Volume87
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 1 2003
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Cysticercosis
  • Kenya
  • Madagascar
  • Mozambique
  • Neurocysticercosis
  • Prevalence
  • South Africa
  • Taenia solium
  • Tanzania
  • Uganda
  • Zambia
  • Zimbabwe

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Parasitology
  • veterinary (miscalleneous)
  • Insect Science
  • Infectious Diseases

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