Onchocerciasis-Associated Epilepsy, an Explorative Case-control Study

NCT ID: NCT05868551

Last Updated: 2023-05-22

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

Get a concise snapshot of the trial, including recruitment status, study phase, enrollment targets, and key timeline milestones.

Recruitment Status

UNKNOWN

Total Enrollment

40 participants

Study Classification

OBSERVATIONAL

Study Start Date

2023-06-01

Study Completion Date

2024-12-31

Brief Summary

Review the sponsor-provided synopsis that highlights what the study is about and why it is being conducted.

This is an exploratory case control study with the aim to compare the Onchocerca volvulus virome between persons with onchocerciasis-associated epilepsy (OAE) and persons with onchocerciasis but without epilepsy.

The main question we want to address is: Is there a virus contained in the O. volulus worm that may have a pathogenic role in causing OAE.

In Maridi County, South Sudan, 20 persons with OAE with onchocerciasis nodules, and 20 age- and village-matched controls without OAE will be enrolled in a nodulectomy study.The adult O. volvulus worms will be extracted from the nodules and a viral metagenomic study of the worms. The O. volvulus virome of persons with and without OAE will be compared.

Detailed Description

Dive into the extended narrative that explains the scientific background, objectives, and procedures in greater depth.

A high prevalence of onchocerciasis-associated epilepsy (OAE) has been observed in onchocerciasis-endemic areas with high ongoing Onchocerca volvulus transmission. However, the pathogenesis of OAE remains to be elucidated. We hypothesise that the O. volvulus virome could be involved in inducing epilepsy. With this study, we aim to describe the O. volvulus virome and identify possible viruses linked to OAE.

In Maridi County, South Sudan, 20 persons with OAE with onchocerciasis nodules, and 20 age- and village-matched controls without OAE will be enrolled in the study. For each study participant, two skin snips at the iliac crest will be obtained to collect O. volvulus microfilaria, and one nodulectomy will be performed to obtain adult worms. A viral metagenomic study will be conducted on microfilariae and adult worms, and the O. volvulus virome of persons with and without OAE will be compared. Moreover, the prevalence, numbers and localisation of onchocerciasis nodules in persons with and without OAE in villages with a high prevalence of epilepsy in Maridi will be described.

Conditions

See the medical conditions and disease areas that this research is targeting or investigating.

Onchocercal Subcutaneous Nodule Epilepsy Virus

Study Design

Understand how the trial is structured, including allocation methods, masking strategies, primary purpose, and other design elements.

Observational Model Type

CASE_CONTROL

Study Time Perspective

CROSS_SECTIONAL

Study Groups

Review each arm or cohort in the study, along with the interventions and objectives associated with them.

Persons with onchocerciasis nodules with OAE and without epilepsy

nodulectomy to extract adult worms

nodulectomy

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

incision in an onchocerciasis nodule to extract adult worms

Interventions

Learn about the drugs, procedures, or behavioral strategies being tested and how they are applied within this trial.

nodulectomy

incision in an onchocerciasis nodule to extract adult worms

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Eligibility Criteria

Check the participation requirements, including inclusion and exclusion rules, age limits, and whether healthy volunteers are accepted.

Inclusion Criteria

* Onchocerciasis nodules
* Age 12-35 years old
* informed consent signed
* Living in Maridi County, Western Equatorial State, South Sudan

Exclusion Criteria

* below the age of 12
Minimum Eligible Age

12 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

35 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

Meet the organizations funding or collaborating on the study and learn about their roles.

Amref Health Africa

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

Universiteit Antwerpen

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

Identify the individual or organization who holds primary responsibility for the study information submitted to regulators.

Robert Colebunders

Emeritus professor, head NSETHIO research group, Global Health institute

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

Learn about the lead researchers overseeing the trial and their institutional affiliations.

Robert Colebunders, MD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Universiteit Antwerpen

Locations

Explore where the study is taking place and check the recruitment status at each participating site.

Amref Health Africa

Juba, Central, South Sudan

Site Status

Countries

Review the countries where the study has at least one active or historical site.

South Sudan

Central Contacts

Reach out to these primary contacts for questions about participation or study logistics.

Robert Colebunders, MD

Role: CONTACT

+32486920149

Jean Pierre Van geertruyden, MD

Role: CONTACT

+32651800

References

Explore related publications, articles, or registry entries linked to this study.

Hadermann A, Jada SR, Sebit WJ, Deng T, Bol YY, Siewe Fodjo JN, De Coninck L, Matthijnssens J, Mertens I, Polman K, Colebunders R. Onchocerciasis-associated epilepsy: an explorative case-control study with viral metagenomic analyses on Onchocerca volvulus. F1000Res. 2023 Dec 11;12:1262. doi: 10.12688/f1000research.138774.2. eCollection 2023.

Reference Type DERIVED
PMID: 38439783 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

Review additional registry numbers or institutional identifiers associated with this trial.

AID 011898

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

More Related Trials

Additional clinical trials that may be relevant based on similarity analysis.

Research for Elim of Filariasis
NCT00145223 COMPLETED
Rift Valley Fever in Kenya
NCT00287014 COMPLETED