Is nodding syndrome in northern Uganda linked to consumption of mycotoxin contaminated food grains?
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Date
2018
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
BMC Research Notes
Abstract
Nodding syndrome (NS) is a type of epilepsy characterized by repeated head-nodding seizures that
appear in previously healthy children between 3 and 18 years of age. In 2012, during a WHO International Meeting on
NS in Kampala, Uganda, it was recommended that fungal contamination of foods should be investigated as a possible
cause of the disease. We therefore aimed to assess whether consumption of fungal mycotoxins contributes to NS
development.
Results: We detected similar high levels of total aflatoxin and ochratoxin in mostly millet, sorghum, maize and
groundnuts in both households with and without children with NS. Furthermore, there was no significant association
between concentrations of total aflatoxin, ochratoxin and doxynivalenol and the presence of children with NS in
households. In conclusion, our results show no supporting evidence for the association of NS with consumption of
mycotoxins in contaminated foods.
Description
Keywords
Nodding syndrome, Mycotoxin, Food grain, Uganda
Citation
Echodu, R., Edema, H., Malinga, G. M., Hendy, A., Colebunders, R., Moriku Kaducu, J., ... & Haesaert, G. (2018). Is nodding syndrome in northern Uganda linked to consumption of mycotoxin contaminated food grains?. BMC Research Notes, 11(1), 1-5. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13104-018-3774-y