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  • Title: Long-term follow-up of konzo patients.
    Author: Cliff J, Nicala D.
    Journal: Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg; 1997; 91(4):447-9. PubMed ID: 9373651.
    Abstract:
    Nine patients with konzo, a symmetric spastic paraparesis of acute onset that occurs during agricultural crises in cassava-growing areas, were re-examined after 14 years. Konzo outbreaks are associated with eating insufficiently processed bitter cassava and a low intake of essential amino acids. Bitter cassava contains cyanogenic glycosides; processing breaks them down to acetone cyanohydrin and hydrogen cyanide. This long-term follow-up showed that the neurological signs in konzo patients remained constant. Four severely affected patients, however, showed functional improvement. This non-progression clearly distinguishes konzo from myelopathy associated with human T lymphotropic virus type I infection. One child, originally classified as a konzo case, showed signs of cretinism at follow-up.
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