Toxocara Infection and Epilepsy in Children: A Case‐Control Study

Arpino, Carta; Gattinara, Guido Castelli; Piergili, Daniela; Curatolo, Paolo

doi:10.1111/j.1528-1157.1990.tb05356.x

Cited by 57 publications

(63 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…Seizures were often the first symptom. In 1990, Arpino [1] showed in a case-control study a significant association between seropositivity for anti-toxocara canis and seizures. The closest correlation was seen in children less than 5 years of age and there was a highly significant association between dog ownership and toxocariasis.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cerebral toxocariasis: a possible cause of epileptic seizure in children

2004

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cerebral toxocariasis: a possible cause of epileptic seizure in children

2004

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“…It has been hypothesized that Toxocara infection is associated with epilepsy, with toxocariasis described as a cofactor for epilepsy (Schantz & Glickman., 1978;Magnaval et al, 1994). Case control studies conducted in Africa have produced contradicting results (Arpino et al, 1990;Magnaval et al, 1994;. In Burundi, a case control study among people with epilepsy reported a significant association between positivity rates of T. canis antibodies and epilepsy (Magnaval et al, 1994).…”

Section: Toxocara Species and Toxocariasismentioning

confidence: 99%

Epilepsy and tropical parasitic infections in Sub-Saharan Africa: a review

Mazigo

Morona

Kweka

et al. 2013

Tanzania J Hlth Res

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Several reports have suggested that the high prevalence of epilepsy in sub-Saharan Africa is associated with the high prevalence of parasitic infections affecting the central nervous system. Though epidemiological evidence suggests an association between parasitic infections and epilepsy, the biological causal relationship has not been fully demonstrated for many of these infections. The objective of this paper is to review the available epidemiological evidence on the links between parasitic infections and epilepsy, the pathogenesis and the current gap of knowledge indicating the areas requiring further research. Data for this review were identified and collected using manual and electronic search strategies of published and unpublished sources. In Sub-Saharan Africa, the epidemiology of epilepsy remains unclear and given the differing study designs, the results of available epidemiological studies are difficult to interpret and compare. Evidence from surveys reported a median prevalence of 1.5%. Co-infection of parasitic infections and epilepsy in sub-Saharan Africa are common, particularly in areas characterized by poor hygiene standards. There is an epidemiological link on the association between epilepsy and various parasitic infections. However, the biological causal relationship requires further investigation in adequately designed studies. In conclusion, although several epidemiological and case control studies indicate a relationship between parasitic agents and epilepsy in sub-Saharan Africa, there is a considerable gap of knowledge on the cause and magnitude of the association. Thus, there is an urgent need for systematic epidemiological studies to understand the burden of epilepsy in areas endemic due to preventable parasitic infections, to prove a causal relationship, and to understand the impact of controlling these parasitic diseases on reduction of the burden of epilepsy.___________________________________________________________________________________

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“…It is reported that Toxocara seroprevalence is high in those owning dogs and cats (Arpino et al 1990, Holland et al 1995, Garcia 2001, Chan et al 2001, Baboolal & Rawlins 2002. It is seen that in our mental retarded cases, the rate of owning cats-dogs at home was low and did not influence seroprevalence.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 50%

“…geophagia, nail-biting, sucking fingers, and frequency of daily hand washes could also lead to increase Toxocara seroprevalence (Arpino et al 1990, Huminer et al 1992, Ajayi et al 2000, Sadjjadi et al 2000, Garcia 2001, Baboolal & Rawlins 2002. It is seen that these factors did not affect the frequency of Toxocara infection in our mental retarded cases.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 61%