Global burden of neurocysticercosis, a systematic review

Introduction

Recent initiatives have encouraged researchers to review the estimates of the global burden of parasitic diseases. However, several neglected zoonoses were excluded from the initial global burden of disease assessment and their burden must be determined. This study reports the results of a systematic review of the literature on the frequency of neurocysticercosis and its sequelae.

Methods

Using PUBMED, CAB Abstracts and 27 international search engines, we conducted two systematic independent searches in order to estimate neurocysticercosis' prevalence, incidence and its associated sequelae. Articles published in English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, German, Italian and Chinese from January 1, 1995 to June 1, 2008 were considered.

Findings

Overall, 1635 papers were reviewed and 486 (30%) selected for further analysis. The specific searches for the frequency and sequelae of neurocysticercosis resulted in the inclusion of 57% and 23% of the screened articles, respectively. The countries that contributed the most articles overall were China, India, and Brazil, with the U.S.A. contributing the largest number of articles pertaining to the epidemiology of neurocysticercosis.

Discussion

Less than one-third of the reviewed literature was relevant for the estimation of the global burden of neurocysticercosis. However, articles were unequally distributed worldwide. Many countries facing the threat of insufficient basic hygiene were not represented making it difficult to accurately estimate the global public health burden of this condition.