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Pioneer Nigerian health care academicians
Published in Joseph A. Balogun, Health Care Education in Nigeria, 2020
Osuntokun was a great Nigerian who left his footprints in the sands of neuro-epidemiological time. He launched a productive career by investigating the ataxic neuropathy associated with the high consumption of ill-processed Cassava with little or no supplement Cassava in Epe. He posited that the disorders (peripheral neuropathy, myelopathy, sensorineural deafness, and optic atrophy) was due to the high level of cyanogenic glycosides in the Cassava – the syndrome called “tropical ataxic neuropathy.” The neuropathy associated with the ingestion of ill-processed Cassava, due to cyanide intoxication, was named the “Osuntokun’s sign” in the African medical literature. He and his colleagues saw over 10,000 neurological cases, and their astute clinical observation led them to describe congenital asymbolia and auditory imperception, which was referred to as “Osuntokun’s disease.” Unfortunately, outside the continent, the term is not widely known (Roman, 1997).
Gases
Published in Frank A. Barile, Barile’s Clinical Toxicology, 2019
Permanent neurological damage (Parkinson-like syndrome) is a complication of severe CN toxicity. Higher levels of thiocyanate are also implicated in the development of tobacco amblyopia (in chronic smokers) and tropical ataxic neuropathy (in diets rich in cassava).
Cyanogenic Glycosides
Published in Dongyou Liu, Handbook of Foodborne Diseases, 2018
Consumption of improperly processed cassava may create chronic/subacute dietary cyanide exposure that leads to tropical ataxic neuropathy (a chronic condition in elderly persons showing optic atrophy and inability to coordinate muscle movements) and paralytic disorder (Konzo, an irreversible paralysis of the legs), particularly in individuals with low blood concentrations of sulfur amino acids (available sulfur is used for rhodanese-based cyanide detoxification) and elevated levels of plasma thiocyanate. Additionally, goiter and cretinism may be aggravated by cyanide from cassava, especially in areas of endemic iodine deficiency, as thiocyanate (a metabolite of ingested cyanide) is similar in size to iodine molecule and competes for iodine uptake [3].
Auditory neuropathy in patients with features of tropical ataxic neuropathy in Tanzania
Published in Hearing, Balance and Communication, 2021
Ali F. Jaffer, Philip B. Adebayo
Patients were suspected to have tropical ataxic neuropathy if they satisfied the case definition of TAN similar to that described by Oluwole et al. [2], if any two or more of bilateral optic neuropathy, sensorineural hearing loss, gait ataxia, or peripheral neuropathy were present. Audiological symptoms were assessed by clinical assessment of the auditory system, other symptoms were identified via the initial patient interview. These were indicated on the patient’s record where identified.