Konzo outbreak in the Western Province of Zambia. (7th April 2020)
- Record Type:
- Journal Article
- Title:
- Konzo outbreak in the Western Province of Zambia. (7th April 2020)
- Main Title:
- Konzo outbreak in the Western Province of Zambia
- Authors:
- Siddiqi, Omar K.
Kapina, Muzala
Kumar, Ramya
Ngomah Moraes, Albertina
Kabwe, Patrick
Mazaba, Mazyanga L.
Hachaambwa, Lottie
Ng'uni, Namalambo Mwenda
Chikoti, Patrick C.
Morel-Espinosa, Maria
Jarrett, Jeffery M.
Baggett, Henry C.
Chizema-Kawesha, Elizabeth - Abstract:
- Abstract : Objective: To identify the etiology of an outbreak of spastic paraparesis among women and children in the Western Province of Zambia suspected to be konzo. Methods: We conducted an outbreak investigation of individuals from Mongu District, Western Province, Zambia, who previously developed lower extremity weakness. Cases were classified with the World Health Organization definition of konzo. Active case finding was conducted through door-to-door evaluation in affected villages and sensitization at local health clinics. Demographic, medical, and dietary history was used to identify common exposures in all cases. Urine and blood specimens were taken to evaluate for konzo and alternative etiologies. Results: We identified 32 cases of konzo exclusively affecting children 6 to 14 years of age and predominantly females >14 years of age. Fourteen of 15 (93%) cases ≥15 years of age were female, 11 (73%) of whom were breastfeeding at the time of symptom onset. Cassava was the most commonly consumed food (median [range] 14 [4–21] times per week), while protein-rich foods were consumed <1 time per week for all cases. Of the 30 patients providing urine specimens, median thiocyanate level was 281 (interquartile range 149–522) μmol/L, and 73% of urine samples had thiocyanate levels >136 μmol/L, the 95th percentile of the US population in 2013 to 2014. Conclusion: This investigation revealed the first documented cases of konzo in Zambia, occurring in poor communities with dietsAbstract : Objective: To identify the etiology of an outbreak of spastic paraparesis among women and children in the Western Province of Zambia suspected to be konzo. Methods: We conducted an outbreak investigation of individuals from Mongu District, Western Province, Zambia, who previously developed lower extremity weakness. Cases were classified with the World Health Organization definition of konzo. Active case finding was conducted through door-to-door evaluation in affected villages and sensitization at local health clinics. Demographic, medical, and dietary history was used to identify common exposures in all cases. Urine and blood specimens were taken to evaluate for konzo and alternative etiologies. Results: We identified 32 cases of konzo exclusively affecting children 6 to 14 years of age and predominantly females >14 years of age. Fourteen of 15 (93%) cases ≥15 years of age were female, 11 (73%) of whom were breastfeeding at the time of symptom onset. Cassava was the most commonly consumed food (median [range] 14 [4–21] times per week), while protein-rich foods were consumed <1 time per week for all cases. Of the 30 patients providing urine specimens, median thiocyanate level was 281 (interquartile range 149–522) μmol/L, and 73% of urine samples had thiocyanate levels >136 μmol/L, the 95th percentile of the US population in 2013 to 2014. Conclusion: This investigation revealed the first documented cases of konzo in Zambia, occurring in poor communities with diets high in cassava and low in protein, consistent with previous descriptions from neighboring countries. … (more)
- Is Part Of:
- Neurology. Volume 94:Number 14(2020)
- Journal:
- Neurology
- Issue:
- Volume 94:Number 14(2020)
- Issue Display:
- Volume 94, Issue 14 (2020)
- Year:
- 2020
- Volume:
- 94
- Issue:
- 14
- Issue Sort Value:
- 2020-0094-0014-0000
- Page Start:
- Page End:
- Publication Date:
- 2020-04-07
- Subjects:
- Neurology -- Periodicals
Neurology -- Periodicals
Neurologie -- Périodiques
616.8 - Journal URLs:
- http://www.mdconsult.com/public/search?search_type=journal&j_sort=pub_date&j_issn=0028-3878 ↗
http://www.mdconsult.com/about/journallist/192093418-5/about0nz0.html ↗
http://www.neurology.org ↗
http://journals.lww.com ↗ - DOI:
- 10.1212/WNL.0000000000009017 ↗
- Languages:
- English
- ISSNs:
- 0028-3878
- Deposit Type:
- Legaldeposit
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- Available online (eLD content is only available in our Reading Rooms) ↗
- Physical Locations:
- British Library DSC - 6081.500000
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- 13762.xml