Neuropathological Changes in Nakalanga Syndrome—A Case Report

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dc.contributor.authorHotterbeekx, An
dc.contributor.authorLammens, Martin
dc.contributor.authorOnzivua, Sylvester
dc.contributor.authorLukande, Robert
dc.contributor.authorOlwa, Francis
dc.contributor.authorKumar-Singh, Samir
dc.contributor.authorHees, Stijn Van
dc.contributor.authorIdro, Richard
dc.contributor.authorColebunders, Robert
dc.date.accessioned2022-06-01T19:15:22Z
dc.date.available2022-06-01T19:15:22Z
dc.date.issued2021
dc.description.abstractNakalanga syndrome is a clinical manifestation of onchocerciasis-associated epilepsy characterized by stunting, delayed or absent secondary sexual development and skeletal deformities, and is often accompanied by epileptic seizures. The pathophysiology of Nakalanga syndrome is unknown. Here, we describe the post-mortem findings of a 17-year-old female who died with Nakalanga syndrome in northern Uganda. Macroscopic and histopathological examination of all major organs (liver, lungs, kidney and heart), including the brain and the pituitary gland, was performed. The suspected cause of death was malaria, and all major organs and pituitary gland appeared normal, except the lungs, which were edematous consistent with the malaria. Neuropathological changes include signs of neuro-inflammation (gliosis and activated microglia), which co-localized with tau-reactive neurofibrillary tangles and threads. The pathology was most abundant in the frontal cortex, thalamic and hypothalamic regions, and mesencephalon. The choroid plexus showed psammoma bodies. These findings indicate accelerated aging, probably due to repeated seizures. The neuropathological findings were similar to other persons who died with onchocerciasis-associated epilepsy. Examination of the pituitary gland did not reveal new information concerning the underlying pathophysiological mechanism of Nakalanga syndrome. Therefore, more post-mortem studies should be performed.en_US
dc.identifier.citationHotterbeekx, A., Lammens, M., Onzivua, S., Lukande, R., Olwa, F., Kumar-Singh, S., ... & Colebunders, R. (2021). Neuropathological Changes in Nakalanga Syndrome—A Case Report. Pathogens, 10(2), 116.https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens10020116en_US
dc.identifier.urihttps://nru.uncst.go.ug/handle/123456789/3648
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.publisherPathogensen_US
dc.subjectNakalanga syndrome; nodding syndrome; epilepsy; post-mortem; pituitary gland; Ugandaen_US
dc.titleNeuropathological Changes in Nakalanga Syndrome—A Case Reporten_US
dc.typeArticleen_US
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