Are seizures associated with neuroschistosomiasis mansoni? An exploratory survey in an endemic area of Brazil

Abstract Background Deposition of Schistosoma mansoni eggs in the brain of patients with hepatosplenic schistosomiasis (HS-SM) is frequent and usually asymptomatic. However, it is questioned whether it could cause seizures. Thus, we investigated the occurrence of seizures in these patients and also...

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Published in:	Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene Vol. 116; no. 8; pp. 704 - 709
Main Authors:	Ferrari, Teresa Cristina A, Oliveira, Ana Elisa M, Logato, Maria Júlia S, Ganzella, Carolina G, Melo, Rodolfo Ferreira Q, Rocha, Ana Paula C, Barbosa, Fernanda A, Cunha, Pedro Ferrari S, Silva, Rogério Augusto P, Faria, Luciana C, Cançado, Guilherme Grossi L, Couto, Cláudia A, Cunha, Aloísio S
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	England Oxford University Press 05-08-2022
Subjects:	epilepsy Schistosoma mansoni survey seizure schistosomiasis neuroschistosomiasis
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Summary:	Abstract Background Deposition of Schistosoma mansoni eggs in the brain of patients with hepatosplenic schistosomiasis (HS-SM) is frequent and usually asymptomatic. However, it is questioned whether it could cause seizures. Thus, we investigated the occurrence of seizures in these patients and also searched for parameters associated with this disorder. Methods In a cross-sectional survey, we compared 128 patients with HS-SM with 102 patients with portal hypertension due to compensated chronic hepatic disease of other etiologies. A standardized questionnaire, emphasizing epilepsy-related parameters, was applied to all participants. Results Eight (6.3%) patients with HS-SM had a history of seizures, whereas this condition was reported by three (2.9%) individuals from the comparison group (p=0.354). None of the variables were associated with the occurrence of seizures, either in univariate or in multivariate analysis. Conclusions The frequency of seizures was similar in both study groups. However, it was higher than that described in population-based studies. Thus, we hypothesize that HS-SM individuals may have a higher frequency of seizure. The lack of difference between the two study groups may be explained by the inclusion of cases of HS-MS overlapping other chronic liver diseases in the comparison group, because this finding is relatively common in schistosome-endemic areas.
Bibliography:	ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23
ISSN:	0035-9203 1878-3503
DOI:	10.1093/trstmh/trac012