Nodding syndrome research revisited

Nodding syndrome is one of several forms onchocerciasis-associated epilepsy (OAE) seen among children in areas formerly hyperendemic for the transmission Onchocerca volvulus. These are highly prevalent and clustered certain villages located close to blackfly (Diptera: Simuliidae) breeding sites. OAE presents with a wide spectrum seizures, including generalized tonic-clonic head nodding impaired cognitive function, growth stunting delayed puberty. In 2014, present authors published perspective paper this journal which hypothesized that may be caused by either neurotropic virus transmitted blackflies or an endosymbiont within O. volvulus parasite. Seven years later, critical review progress research, assesses whether it still plausible could cause.