Cysticercosis as a major risk factor for epilepsy in Burundi, east Africa

Human cysticercosis is a direct consequence of infection by Taenia solium larvae (Cysticercus cellulosae). Results of studies on the impact of neurocysticercosis on epilepsy in Africa are inconsistent. The objective was to evaluate the role of cysticercosis in epilepsy in Burundi.

A prevalent matched case-control design was used in the Kiremba area, Burundi, between March and April 2001. One case with epilepsy was matched to two control subjects, according to their age. Cases were subjects who had shown at least two unprovoked epileptic seizures within a 24-h time range and who lived in the Kiremba area. The control subjects also lived in Kiremba and had neither neurologic illness nor kinship with the people with epilepsy. Seropositivity for cysticercosis was the exposure variable. Three hundred twenty-four prevalent cases, with onset of epilepsy between 1950 and 2000, and 648 age-matched controls were included.

This study found a link between cysticercosis infestation and the occurrence of epilepsy (odds ratio, 3.8; 95% confidence interval, 2.5-5.1).

The study highlighted the importance of cysticercosis in the area of Kiremba, as 31.5% of the control subjects screened positive for this parasite. The attributable risk for cysticercosis was 50% (95% confidence interval, 42-57) in this population.