Document Type
Article
Department
Internal Medicine (East Africa)
Abstract
Background: Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is an auto-immune disease of the central nervous system (CNS) associated with the IgG-antibody against aquaporin-4 (AQP4-IgG). There is little published epidemiology of NMOSD from sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).
Methods: We retrospectively collated NMOSD cases admitted to our tertiary regional neurology centre.
Results: We identified 11 cases (10 female, average age 30 years). 64% (7/11) were seropositive for AQP4-IgG, measured using indirect immunofluorescence. The remaining cases could either not afford tests, or had patho-gnomonic radiological features. 57% (4/7) of seropositive cases had concurrent/recent CNS infection. All pa-tients were treated with high-dose intravenous methylprednisolone (IVMP), and 36% (4/11) also had plasma exchange. Only 55% (6/11) of the patients were seen by a neurologist at presentation: they had less relapses (1.3 vs 2.4), less diagnostic delay (2.3 vs 7.4 months), and were less disabled at the end of our review period. 10 cases were immunosuppressed long-term: 60% on mycophenolate, 30% azathioprine, and one on rituximab.
Conclusion: Our study is the largest case series of NMOSD from the East Africa region. Patients faced challenges of access to appropriate and affordable testing, and timely availability of a neurologist at onset, which had impacts on their functional outcomes. The majority of the seropositive cases had recent/concurrent CNS infections, suggesting triggered auto-immunity.
Publication (Name of Journal)
eNeurologicalSci
Recommended Citation
Sokhi, D.,
Suleiman, A.,
Manji, S.,
Hooker, J.,
Mativo, P.
(2021). Cases of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder from the East Africa region, highlighting challenges in diagnostics and healthcare access. eNeurologicalSci, 22(100320), 1-7.
Available at:
https://ecommons.aku.edu/eastafrica_fhs_mc_intern_med/218
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