title: Konzo in the Central African Republic.
abstract: We identified a new focus of konzo, an upper motor neuron disease, in a part of western Central African Republic. Interviews and high serum levels of thiocyanate indicate that cyanide exposure from insufficiently processed cassava may cause konzo. Abrupt onset, nonprogressive course, and seronegativity to HTLV-I clearly differentiate konzo from HTLV-I-associated myelopathy in tropical countries.
authors.affiliation: International Child Health Unit, Uppsala University Hospital, Sweden.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tylleskär
authors.forename: F D
authors.initials: FD
authors.lastname: Légué
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Peterson
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kpizingui
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Stecker
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000350:Africa, Central / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003486:Cyanides / Q000009:adverse effects; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D015483:HIV Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D015481:HTLV-I Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D015482:HTLV-II Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D002365:Manihot / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016472:Motor Neuron Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D013861:Thiocyanates / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D003486:Cyanides; D015483:HIV Antibodies; D015481:HTLV-I Antibodies; D015482:HTLV-II Antibodies; D013861:Thiocyanates; C031760:thiocyanate