Abstracts

Rationale: The study is to systematically review the literature since 1990 pertaining to the epidemiology of the three most common infectious causes of epilepsy (Malaria, HIV infection and Herpes Simplex Encephalitis) in Sub - Saharan Africa, to focus on the identified potential causes and mechanisms of seizures, the seizure types and the frequency of the seizures as well as the risk of development of chronic epilepsy. The gaps in knowledge will be identified. Based on these findings, recommendations are made in relation to the treatment and prevention of these conditions to reduce the burden of epilepsy on the African continent.Methods: Literature was obtained from Pubmed, using specific search strategy and limiting the articles to only those in English Language and within the last 20 years. Data was also sought from standard text books of Neurology. Results: In this review, there are limited number of well - controlled aetiological studies for infectious causes of epilepsy in the resource limited countries south of the Sahara. All the three infections of study - Malaria, HIV / AIDS and Herpes Simplex Encephalitis (HSE) - are commonly associated with epilepsy, have multiple epileptogenic processes with complex treatment protocols.Conclusions: The three infections studied namely Malaria, HIV / AIDS and Herpes Simplex Encephalitis cause a sequel of epilepsy. Herpes Simplex Encephalitis has the highest risk to developing chronic epilepsy probably because HSE is more epileptogenic compared with Malaria and HIV infections.