222895 Effect Modification of HIV-associated central nervous system Diseases by Parasitic Zoonoses in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Christine Tronson Benner, MPH , Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK
Hélène Carabin, DVM, PhD , Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK
Humberto Foyaca-Sibat , University Walter Sisulu, Mthatha, South Africa
Lourdes Ibanez-Valdez, MD , Epilepsy clinic, Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital, Mthatha, South Africa
Irena Junhnke-Targonska, MD , Radiology, Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital, Mthatha, South Africa
Mushtaq Anwary, MD , Radiology, Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital, Mthatha, South Africa
Linda D. Cowan, PhD , Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK
Stephen Korsman, PhD , HIV laboratory, NHLS, Mthatha, South Africa
Rosina C. Krecek , Ross Univ School of Veterinary Med, Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis
Parimalaranie Yogeswaran, MD, M Fam Med, FCFP(SA) , Faculty of Health Sciences, Deparment of Family Medicine, Walter Sisulu University (WSU), Mthatha, South Africa
Objective: To estimate the cross-sectional associations between HIV and Taenia solium cysticercosis (CC) toxocariasis infections and to evaluate their interaction in clinically apparent neurological complications in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa.

Methods: We are planning to enroll 300 patients under care in two academic hospitals. Patients will be selected according to their HIV status and by presence of neurological disorders. Serological presence of antigens and antibodies to CC and to antibodies to toxocarisis will be compared between groups. All HIV positive patients and all patients with neurological disorders will have recently had or be offered a brain CT-scan for the detection of neurocysticercosis or neurotoxocariasis.

Expected Results: We expect the sero-prevalence of antigens to CC to be highest in more advanced cases of HIV (untreated) followed by early stages HIV patients followed by HIV negative patients. The reverse tendency is expected of the sero-prevalence of toxocariasis and antibodies to CC. We hypothesize that there will be more lesions associated with NCC and toxocariasis among advanced stages HIV patients who do not have neurological manifestations as compared to advanced stages HIV patients with manifestations.

Discussion: Even though this project has not yet started, we should have some preliminary results to present in November. The long-term benefit of this research could improve the overall health of HIV patients living in endemic areas for neurocysticercosis and neurotoxocariasis through increased awareness among clinicians caring for those patients as well as among stakeholders and the development of prevention programs for parasitic zoonoses.

Learning Areas:
Epidemiology
Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
Compare the presence of neurocysticercosis between advanced and early HIV positive individuals and HIV negative individuals. Compare the proportion of neurological manifestations associated with neurocysticercosis between advanced and early HIV positive individuals and HIV negative individuals.

Keywords: International Health, Infectious Diseases

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am the PI on this grant and an infectious disease epidemiologist
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.