Médecins Sans Frontières, Geneva, Switzerland.
Food Chem Toxicol. 2011 Mar;49(3):579-82. doi: 10.1016/j.fct.2010.05.081. Epub 2010 Jun 9.
Konzo is a spastic paraparesis of sudden onset, linked to the exclusive consumption of insufficiently processed bitter cassava as staple food combined with low protein intake. Around 60,000 refugees from the Central African Republic sought refuge in villages in eastern Cameroon between 2005 and 2007. Médecins Sans Frontières was providing nutritional and medical assistance in the villages affected by displacement. We describe cases of konzo seen at the mobile clinics organized in these villages. Basic information including demographic data, history and clinical presentation was recorded for each konzo patient. All patients were given nutritional supplements, and selected cases were referred for physiotherapy to a rehabilitation center. A total of 469 patients were diagnosed with konzo. The majority (80%) were refugees. Children and women of reproductive age predominated. Most of the patients developed symptoms after 2007 in a seasonal pattern with most of the cases occurring during the dry winter season. Most of the patients complained about walking difficulties and weight loss and had exaggerated lower limb reflexes and muscle wasting on observation. Eastern Cameroon is an area with konzo. More effort needs to be put into preventive and educational measures. In addition, timely balanced food rations have to be provided to refugees.
科松病是一种突发的痉挛性截瘫，与只食用未充分加工的苦味木薯作为主食，同时蛋白质摄入不足有关。2005 年至 2007 年期间，约有 6 万名来自中非共和国的难民在喀麦隆东部的村庄寻求避难。无国界医生组织在受流离失所影响的村庄提供营养和医疗援助。我们描述了在这些村庄组织的流动诊所中看到的科松病病例。为每位科松病患者记录了基本信息，包括人口统计数据、病史和临床表现。所有患者均接受了营养补充剂治疗，部分患者被转介到康复中心进行物理治疗。共有 469 名患者被诊断患有科松病。大多数（80%）是难民。儿童和育龄妇女居多。大多数患者在 2007 年后出现症状，呈季节性模式，大多数病例发生在干燥的冬季。大多数患者抱怨行走困难和体重减轻，观察时下肢反射亢进和肌肉萎缩。喀麦隆东部地区有科松病。需要加大预防和教育措施的力度。此外，必须向难民提供及时的均衡食物配给。
