Konzo in the Central African Republic

Overview

Journal Neurology

Specialty Neurology

Date 1994 May 1

PMID 8190305

Citations 17

Authors

T Tylleskar

F D Legue

S Peterson

E Kpizingui

P Stecker

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

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.

Citing Articles

Konzo outbreak in the Western Province of Zambia.

Siddiqi O, Kapina M, Kumar R, Moraes A, Kabwe P, Mazaba M Neurology. 2020; 94(14):e1495-e1501.

PMID: 32127386 PMC: 7251525. DOI: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000009017.

Soil nutrient adequacy for optimal cassava growth, implications on cyanogenic glucoside production: A case of konzo-affected Mtwara region, Tanzania.

Imakumbili M, Semu E, Semoka J, Abass A, Mkamilo G PLoS One. 2019; 14(5):e0216708.

PMID: 31083702 PMC: 6513093. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0216708.

Farmers' perceptions on the causes of cassava root bitterness: A case of konzo-affected Mtwara region, Tanzania.

Imakumbili M, Semu E, Semoka J, Abass A, Mkamilo G PLoS One. 2019; 14(4):e0215527.

PMID: 30998724 PMC: 6472768. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0215527.

Cyanide and the human brain: perspectives from a model of food (cassava) poisoning.

Tshala-Katumbay D, Ngombe N, Okitundu D, David L, Westaway S, Boivin M Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2016; 1378(1):50-57.

PMID: 27450775 PMC: 5063682. DOI: 10.1111/nyas.13159.

Lower sulfurtransferase detoxification rates of cyanide in konzo-A tropical spastic paralysis linked to cassava cyanogenic poisoning.

Kambale K, Ali E, Sadiki N, Kayembe K, Mvumbi L, Yandju D Neurotoxicology. 2016; 59:256-262.

PMID: 27246648 PMC: 5125906. DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2016.05.016.