Scientific publications on Onchocerciasis-Associated Epilepsy (OAE) - Global Health Institute

Abd-Elfarag, G., (2020). Persons with onchocerciasis-associated epilepsy and nodding seizures have a more severe form of epilepsy with more cognitive impairment and higher levels of Onchocerca volvulus infection. Epileptic Disorders. Volume 22, numéro 3, June 2020.  doi:10.1684/epd.2020.1164

Momo, M.L., (2020). Comment: Novel evidence to motivate onchocerciasis elimination. The Lancet Infectious Diseases. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1473-3099(20)30284-X

Gumisiriza, N., et al (2020). Changes in epilepsy burden after onchocerciasis elimination in a hyperendemic focus of western Uganda: a comparison of two population-based, cross-sectional studies.The Lancet Infectious Diseases. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1473-3099(20)30122-5

Chesnais, C. et al. (2020). Second cohort study confirming the temporal relationship between onchocerciasis and epilepsy. Open Forum Infectious Diseases.  https://academic.oup.com/ofid/advance-article/doi/10.1093/ofid/ofaa206/5850497

de Smet, E. et al. (2020). Focus of Ongoing Onchocerciasis Transmission Close to Bangui, Central African Republic. Pathogens  9: 337. https://doi:10.3390/pathogens9050337

Lakwo, T.L., Raimon, S., Tionga, M., Siewe Fodjo, J.N., Alinda, P., Sebit, W.J., Carter, J.Y.; and Colebunders, R. (2020). The Role of the Maridi Dam in Causing an Onchocerciasis-Associated Epilepsy Epidemic in Maridi, South Sudan: An Epidemiological, Sociological, and Entomological Study. Pathogens 9: 315. https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens9040315

Housseini, D. et al. (2020). Serological Evaluation of Onchocerciasis and Lymphatic Filariasis Elimination in the Bakoye and Falémé foci, Mali. Clinical Infectious Diseases, ciaa318. https://doi.org/10.1093/cid/ciaa318

Mandro, M., Siewe Fodjo, J.N.,  Dusabimana, A. et al. (2020). Single versus Multiple Dose Ivermectin Regimen in Onchocerciasis-Infected Persons with Epilepsy Treated with Phenobarbital: A Randomized Clinical Trial in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Pathogens 9(3). pii: E205. https://doi: 10.3390/pathogens9030205.

Siewe Fodjo, J.N., Remme, J.H.F., Preux, P.-M. and Colebunders, R. (2020). Meta-analysis of epilepsy prevalence in West Africa and its relationship with onchocerciasis endemicity and control. International Health 00: 1-11. https://doi:10.1093/inthealth/ihaa012. 

Hotterbeekx, A., Dusabimana, A., Mandro, M. et al. (2020). Urinary N-acetyltyramine-O,β-glucuronide in Persons with Onchocerciasis-Associated Epilepsy. Pathogens 9: 191. https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens9030191. 

Gumisiriza, N., Mubiru, F., Siewe Fodjo, J.N. et al. (2020). Prevalence and incidence of nodding syndrome and other forms of epilepsy in onchocerciasis-endemic areas in northern Uganda after the implementation of onchocerciasis control measures. Infect Dis Poverty 9, 12 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40249-020-0628-3

Van Hees, S., Raimon, S., Siewe Fodjo, J.N. and Colebunders, R. (2020). Safety of ivermectin during pregnancy.The Lancet, Correspondence 8: e338.

Johnson, T.P., Sejvar, J., Nutman, T.B. and Avindra, N. (2020). The Pathogenesis of Nodding Syndrome. Annual Review of Pathology: Mechanisms of Disease 15:395-417. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-pathmechdis-012419-032748

Mandro, M., Siewe Fodjo, J.N., Mukendi, D., Dusabimana, A., Menon, S., Haesendonckx S., et al. (2020) Ivermectin as an adjuvant to anti-epileptic treatment in persons with onchocerciasis-associated epilepsy: A randomized proof-of-concept clinical trial. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases 14(1): e0007966. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.
pntd.0007966

Siewe Fodjo, J.N., Logora Makoy, Y. and Colebunders, R. (2019). Epilepsy prevention. The Lancet 394. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(19)31906-3

Geelhand de Merxem, D., Siewe Fodjo, J.N., Menon, S., Hotterbeekx, A. and Colebunders, R. (2019). Nodding syndrome research, lessons learned from the NSETHIO project. Global Mental Health 6(e26): 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1017/gmh.2019.24

Bhwana, D., Mmbando, B., Hotterbeekx, A. and Colebunders, R. (2019). Nodding syndrome. Close to solving the mystery. The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal 38(11): e313. doi: 10.1097/INF.0000000000002442

Colebunders, R., Raimon, S., Siewe Fodjo, J.N. and Carter, J.Y. (2019). Letter to the editor. Increased cost-benefit of strenghtening onchocerciasis elimination efforts in areas with high onchocerciasis-associated epilepsy. Tropical Medicine and International Health 24(10):1259. https://doi:10.1111/tmi.13300

Colebunders, R., Stolk, W.A., Siewe Fodjo, J.N., Mackenzie, C.D. and Hopkins, A. (2019). Elimination of onchocerciasis in Africa by 2025: an ambitious target requires ambitious interventions. Infectious Diseases of Poverty 8: 83. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40249-019-0593-x.

Hotterbeekx, A., Lammens, M., Idro, R., Akun, P.R., Lukande, R., Akena, G., Nath, A., Taylor, J., Olwa, F., Kumar-Singh, S. and Colebunders, R. (2019). Neuroinflammation and not tauopathy is a predominant pathological signature of Nodding Syndrome. Journal of Neuropathology & Experimental Neurology, nlz90: 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1093/jnen/nlz090

Colebunders, R., Kugler, M. and Siewe, J.N.F. (2019). Analysis of the RIMDAMAL trial. Lancet 394(102003): 1006. https://doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(19)31814-8.

Menon, S., Siewe Fodjo, J.N., Weckhuysen, S., Dan Bhwana, D., Njamnshi, A.K., Dekker, M., Colebunders, R. (2019). Women with epilepsy in sub–Saharan Africa: A review of the reproductive health challenges and perspectives for management. Seizure: European Journal of Epilepsy, 71: 312–317. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seizure.2019.08.016

Siewe, J.N.F., Kugler, M., Hotterbeekx, A., Hendy, A., Van geertruyden, J.-P., and Colebunders, R. (2019). Would ivermectin for malaria control be beneficial in onchocerciasis-endemic regions? Infectious Diseases of Poverty, 8: 77. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40249-019-0588-7. 

Siewe, J.N.F., F Mubiru, F., Ukaga, C., Logora, M.Y., Mmbando, B.P., Mandro, M., Njamnshi, A.K. and Colebunders, R. (2019). Low ivermectin use among 5- to 6-year-old children: observations from door-to-door surveys in onchocerciasis-endemic regions in Africa. International Health, ihz044, https://doi.org/10.1093/inthealth/ihz044.

Colebunders, R., Siewe, J.N.F., Hopkins, A., Hotterbeekx, A., Lakwo, T.L., Kalinga, A., Logora, M. Y. and Basáñez, M.-G. (2019). From river blindness to river epilepsy: Implications for onchocerciasis elimination programmes. PLoS Negl Trop Dis, 13(7): e0007407. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0007407.

O’Neill, S., Irani, J., Siewe, J.N.F., Nono, D., Abbo, C., Sato, Y., Mugarura, A., Dolo, H., Ronse, M., Njamnshi, A.K. and Colebunders, R. (2019). Stigma and epilepsy in onchocerciasisendemic regions in Africa: a review and recommendations from the onchocerciasis-associated epilepsy working group. Infectious Diseases of Poverty, 8:34.

Siewe, J.N.F., Mandro, M., Wonya'rossi, D., Inaç, Y., Ngave, F., Lokonda, R., Anyolito, A., Verelst, F. and Colebunders, R. (2019) Economic Burden of Epilepsy in Rural Ituri, Democratic Republic of Congo. EClinicalMedicine, 9: 60-66.

Siewe, J.N.F., Tepage, F., Colebunders, R. (2019). Epidemiological evidence concerning the association between onchocerciasis and epilepsy. International Journal of Infectious Diseases, 82, 77-78. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijid.2019.03.015 

Boullé, C., Njamnshi, A.K., Dema, F., Mengnjo, M.K., Siewe, J.N.F., Zoung-Kanyi Bissek, A.-C., ... Colebunders, R. (2019) Impact of 19 years of mass drug administration with ivermectin on epilepsy burden in a hyperendemic onchocerciasis areain Cameroon. Parasites & Vectors, 12, 114.

Siewe, J.N.F., Dekker, M.C.J., Idro, R., Mandro, M.N., Preux, P.-M., Njamnshi, A.K., Colebunders, R. (2019) Comprehensive management of epilepsy in onchocerciasis-endemic areas: lessons learnt from community-based surveys. Infectious Diseases of Poverty, 8, 11.

Mukendi, D., Tepage, F., Akonda, I., Siewe, J.N.F., Rotsaert, A., Ndibmun, C.N., ... Colebunders, R. (2019) High prevalence of epilepsy in an onchocerciasis endemic health zone in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, despite 14 years of community-directed treatment with ivermectin: A mixed-method assessment.International Journal of Infectious Diseases, 79, 187-194.

Siewe, J.F., Ukaga, C.N., Nwazor, E.O., Nwoke, M.O., Nwokeji, M.C., Onuoha, B.C., ... Colebunders, R. (2019) Low prevalence of epilepsy and onchocerciasis after more than 20 years of ivermectin treatment in the Imo River Basin in Nigeria.Infectious Diseases of Poverty, 8, 8.

Idro, R., Ogwang, R., Kayongo, E., Gumisiriza, N., Lanyero, A., Kakooza-Mwesige, A., Opar, B. (2018) The natural history of nodding syndrome. Epileptic Disorders, 20(6), 508-516.

Romo, M.L., Nash, D. (2018) Onchocerciasis and epilepsy: a causal relationship? - Comment on The temporal relationship between onchocerciasis and epilepsy: a population-based cohort study. Lancet Infect Dis.

Chesnais, C.B., Nana-Djeunga, H.C., Njamnshi, A.K., Lenou-Nanga, C.G., Boullé, C., Zoung-Kanyi Bissek, A.-C., Kamgno, J., ... Boussinesq, M. (2018) The temporal relationship between onchocerciasis and epilepsy: a population-based cohort study. Lancet Infect Dis.

Siewe, J., Ngarka, L., Tatah, G., Mengnjo, M.K., Nfor, L.N., Chokote, E.S., ... Njamnshi, A.K. (2018) Clinical presentations of onchocerciasis-associated epilepsy (OAE) in Cameroon. Epilepsy & Behavior, 90, 70-78.

Colebunders, R., Carter, J.Y., Claver Olore, P., Puok, K., Bhattacharyya, S., Menon, S., ... Logora, M.Y. (2018) High prevalence of onchocerciasis-associated epilepsy in villages in Maridi County, Republic of South Sudan: A community-based survey. Seizure, 63, 93-101.

Colebunders, R., Abd-Elfarag, G., Carter, J.Y., Claver Olore, P., Puok, K., Menon, S., ... Logora, M.Y. (2018) Clinical characteristics of onchocerciasis-associated epilepsy in villages in Maridi County, Republic of South Sudan. Seizure, 62, 108-115.

Abd-Elfarag, G., Logora, M.Y., Carter, J.Y., Ojok, M., Songok, J., Menon, S., ... Colebunders, R. (2018) The effect of bi-annual community-directed treatment with ivermectin on the incidence of epilepsy in onchocerciasis endemic villages in South Sudan: a study protocol. Infectious Diseases of Poverty, 7, 112.

Hotterbeekx, A., Namale Ssonko, V., Oyet, W., Lakwo, T., Idro, R. (2018). Neurological Manifestations in Onchocerca volvulus infection; a Review.Brain Research Bulletin. In press.

Mandro, M., Suykerbuyk, P., Tepage, F., Degratias, R., Ngave, F., Nazmul Hasan, M., ... Colebunders, R. (2018). Onchocerca volvulus as a risk factor for developing epilepsy in onchocerciasis endemic regions in the Democratic Republic of Congo: a case control study. Infectious Diseases of Poverty, 7, 79.

Vinkeles Melchers, N.V.S., Mollenkopf, S., Colebunders, R., Edlinger, M., Coffeng, L.E., Irani, J., ... Stolk, W.A. (2018). Burden of onchocerciasis-associated epilepsy: first estimates and research priorities. Infectious Diseases of Poverty, 7, 101.

Echodu, R., Edema, H., Malinga, G.M., Hendy, A., Colebunders, R., Kaducu, J.M., ... Haesaert, G. (2018). Is nodding syndrome in northern Uganda linked to consumption of mycotoxin contaminated food grains?BMC Research Notes, 11, 678.

Pollanen, M.S., Onzivua, S., Robertson, J., McKeever, P.M., Olawa, F., Kitara, D.L., Fong, A. (2018). Nodding syndrome in Uganda is a tauopathy. Acta Neuropathol, 1-7.

Lenaerts, E., Mandro, M., Mukendi, D., Suykerbuyk, P., Housseini, D., Wonya'Rossi, D., ... Colebunders, R. (2018). High prevalence of epilepsy in onchocerciasis endemic health areas in Democratic Republic of the Congo. Infectious Diseases of Poverty, 7, 68.

Hotterbeekx, A., Menon, S., Siewe, J.S., Colebunders, R. (2018). Onchocerciasis associated epilepsy: An important neglected public health problem. Seizure, 60, 205.

Mmbando, B., Suykerbuyk, P., Mnacho, M., Kakorozya, A., Matuja, W., Hendy, A., ... Colebunders, R. (2018). High prevalence of epilepsy in two rural onchocerciasis endemic villages in the Mahenge area, Tanzania, after 20 years of community directed treatment with ivermectin. Infectious Diseases of Poverty, 7, 64.

Anguzu, R., Akun, P.R., Ogwang, R., Shour, A.R., Sekibira, R., Ningwa, A., ... Idro, R. (2018). Setting up a clinical trial for a novel disease: a case study of the Doxycyclinefor the Treatment of Nodding Syndrome Trial – challenges, enablers and lessons learned. Global Health Action, 11(1), 1-9.

Colebunders, R., Basáñez, M., Siling, K., Post, R.J., Rotsaert, A., Mmbando, B., ... Hopkins, A. (2018). From river blindness control to elimination: bridge over troubled water. Infectious Diseases of Poverty, 7, 21.

Colebunders, R., Mandro, M., Njamnshi, A.K., Boussinesq, M., Hotterbeekx, A., Kamngo, J., ... Idro, R.  (2018). Report of the first international workshop on onchocerciasis-associated epliepsy. Infectious Diseases of Poverty, 7, 23-27.

Hendy, A., Krüger, A., Pfarr, K., De Witte, J., Kibweja, A., Mwingira, U., ... Kalinga, A. (2018). The blackfly vectors and transmission of Onchocerca volvulus in Mahenge, south eastern Tanzania. Acta Tropica, 181, 50-59.

Boussinesq, M. (2018). A new powerful drug to combat river blindness.The Lancet. In Press.

Opoku, N.O., Bakajika, D.K., Kanza, E.M., Howard, H., Mambandu, G.L., Nyathirombo,A., ... Kuesel, A.C. (2018). Single dose moxidectin versus ivermectin for Onchocerca volvulus infection in Ghana, Liberia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo: a randomised, controlled, double-blind phase 3 trial. The Lancet. In Press.

Colebunders, R., Mandro, M., Mukendi, D., Dolo, H., Suykerbuyk, P. and Van Oijen, M. (2017). Ivermectin treatment in patients with onchocerciasis-associated epilepsy: protocol of a randomized clinical trial. JMIR Research Protocols 6(8): e137. doi: 10.2196/resprot.7186. 

Kakooza-Mwesige, A. (2017). Unravelling the mysterious onchocerciasis—nodding syndrome link: new developments and future challenges. Annals of Translational Medicine, 5(24), 486.

Boivin, M.J. (2017). New evidence for nodding disease as an autoimmune reaction to Onchocerca volvulus. Annals of Translational Medicine, 5(23), 461.

Kaiser, C. & Pion, S.D.S. (2017). River blindness goes beyond the eye: autoimmune antibodies, cross-reactive with Onchocerca volvulus antigen, detected in brain of patients with Nodding syndrome.Annals of Translational Medicine, 5(23), 459.

Colebunders, R., Nelson Siewe, F.J. & Hotterbeekx, A. (2017). Onchocerciasis-associated epilepsy, an additional reason for strengthening onchocerciasis elimination programs. Trends in Parasitology. In press.

Kamgno, J., Pion, S.D., Chesnais, C.B., Bakalar, M.H., D'Ambrosio, M.V., Mackenzie, C.D., ... Boussinesq, M. (2017). A test-and-not-treat strategy for onchocerciasis in Loa loa-endemic areas. N. Engl. J. Med. 377(21), 2044-52.

Colebunders, R. & Titulaer, M.J. (2017). Nodding syndrome: preventable and treatable.Sci. Transl. Med. 9, eaam8532 (2017).

Levick, B., Laudisoit, A., Tepage, F., Ensoy-Musoro, C., Mandro, M., Bonareri Osoro, C., ... Colebunders, R. (2017). High prevalence of epilepsy in onchocerciasis endemic regions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 11(7), e0005732.

Colebunders, R., Njamnshi, A.K., van Oijen, M., Mukendi, D., Kashama, J.M., Mandro, M., ... Idro, R. (2017). Onchocerciasis-associated epilepsy: From recent epidemiological and clinical findings to policy implications. Epilepsia Open2(2), 145-152.

Colebunders, R., Suykerbuyk, P., Jacob, S.T. & van Oijen, M. (2016). Nodding syndrome, other forms of epilepsy, and the Nakalanga syndrome most likely directly or indirectly caused by Onchocerca volvulus. Journal of the Neurological Sciences 372, 439-440.

Colebunders, R., Irani, J. & Post, R. (2016). Nodding syndrome–we can now prevent it. International Journal of Infectious Diseases 44, 61–63.

Colebunders, R., Mandro, M., Mokili, J.L., Mucinya, G., Mambandu, G., Pfarr, K., ... Laudisoit, A. (2016). Risk factors for epilepsy in Bas-Uélé Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo: a case–control study. International Journal of Infectious Diseases 49, 1–8.

Colebunders, R., Tepage, F., Rood, E., Mandro, M., Abatih, E.N., Musinya, G., ... Laudisoit, A. (2016). Prevalence of river epilepsy in the Orientale Province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases 10(5), e0004478.

Colebunders, R., Hendy, A., Mokili, J.L., Wamala, J.F., Kaducu, J., Kur, L. ... Laudisoit, A. (2016). Nodding syndrome and epilepsy in onchocerciasis endemic regions: comparing preliminary observations from South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo with data from Uganda. BMC Research Notes 9, 182-190.

Colebunders, R., Post, R., O'Neill, S., Haesaert, G., Opar, B., Lakwo, T., ... Hendy, A. (2015). Nodding syndrome since 2012 : recent progress, challenges and recommendations for future research. Tropical medicine and international health 20(2), 194-200.                     

Wamala, J.F., Malimbo, M., Tepage, F., Lukwago, L., Okot, C.L., Cannon, R.O., ... Colebunders, R. (2015). Nodding syndrome may be only the ears of the hippo. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases 9(8), e0003880.

Colebunders, R., Hendy, A., Nanyunja, M., Wamala, J.F. & van Oijen, M. (2014). Nodding syndrome—a new hypothesis and new direction for research. International Journal of Infectious Diseases 27, 74-77.