Effect of Ivermectin Treatment on the Frequency of Seizures in Persons with Epilepsy Infected with Onchocerca volvulus.

ABSTRACT: A clinical trial performed in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), among persons with epilepsy (PWE) infected with Onchocerca volvulus treated with anti-seizure medication suggested that ivermectin reduces the seizure frequency. We assessed the effect of ivermectin treatment on seizure frequency in PWE with and without anti-seizure medication in three onchocerciasis endemic areas (Maridi, South Sudan; Aketi, DRC; and Mahenge, Tanzania). Pre- and 3-5 months post-ivermectin microfilariae densities in skin snips and seizure frequency were assessed. After ivermectin, the median (IQR) percentage reduction in seizure frequency in the study sites ranged from 73.4% (26.0-90.0) to 100% (50.0-100.0). A negative binomial mixed model showed that ivermectin significantly reduced the seizure frequenc

SUBMITTER: Dusabimana A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7824398 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature