Gasim Abd-Elfarag

TL;DR: An epilepsy prevalence of 4.4% was observed in villages in Maridi, which is a major risk factor for epilepsy and Ivermectin coverage needs to increase to prevent onchocerciasis associated epilepsy.

TL;DR: The high percentage of PWE who met the diagnostic criteria for OAE suggests that better onchocerciasis control could prevent new cases, and urgent action is needed to close the anti-epileptic treatment gap.

TL;DR: Onchocerca volvulus microfilariae were not detected in the cerebrospinal fluid and may be mediated by an (auto-immune mechanism) mechanism in onchocerciasis-associated epilepsy.

TL;DR: PWE with nodding seizures have a more severe form of onchocerciasis-associated epilepsy, with earlier seizure onset and higher levels of O. volvulus infection.

TL;DR: This study is the first population-based study to evaluate the effect of bi-annual CDTi to reduce the incidence of nodding syndrome, and if the study demonstrates such a reduction, these findings are expected to motivate communities in onchocerciasis-endemic regions to participate in CDTi, and will encourage policy makers, funders and other stakeholders to increase their efforts to eliminate onchokerciases.