title: Overview of the effect and epidemiology of parasitic central nervous system infections in African children.
abstract: Infections of the central nervous system are a significant cause of neurologic dysfunction in resource-limited countries, especially in Africa. The prevalence is not known and is most likely underestimated because of the lack of access to accurate diagnostic screens. For children, the legacy of subsequent neurodisability, which affects those who survive, is a major cause of the burden of disease in Africa. Of the parasitic infections with unique effect in Africa, cerebral malaria, neurocysticercosis, human African trypanosomiasis, toxoplasmosis, and schistosomiasis are largely preventable conditions, which are rarely seen in resource-equipped settings. This article reviews the current understandings of these parasitic and other rarer infections, highlighting the specific challenges in relation to prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and the complications of coinfection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, College of Medicine, Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre, Malawi; Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi. Electronic address: macphers@liverpool.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Macpherson
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mallewa
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Neurology, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, School of Child and Adolescent Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
authors.forename: Jo M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Wilmshurst
mesh_terms: D000349:Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D020807:Central Nervous System Parasitic Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D002648:Child; D003141:Communicable Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D009462:Neurology; D010372:Pediatrics