Investigating HLA haplotypes as a potential risk factor for nodding syndrome: A case-control study in the Mahenge area, Tanzania
This study did not identify statistically significant HLA associations with epilepsy, OAE, NS, or O. volvulus exposure. However, several alleles-particularly HLA-B*35:01, also reported in a previous South Sudanese study-emerged as potential candidates for further investigation. Larger, multi-country studies with sufficient power are needed to clarify whether host genetic factors contribute to susceptibility to OAE and NS. Strengthening onchocerciasis elimination programmes remains essential, as NS is a preventable disease.
Authors
- Sarah Weckhuysen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2878-1147)
- Marie‐Paule Emonds (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2653-8656)
- Bruno P. Mmbando (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7232-8708)
- Athanas D Mhina
- Amber Hadermann (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1207-5811)
- Luís‐Jorge Amaral (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8155-9014)
- Joseph Nelson Siewe Fodjo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3544-1239)
- Dan Bhwana (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8458-3797)
- Robert Colebunders (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0006-0691-3697)
Institutions
- University of Antwerp (BE)
- Eckernforde Tanga University (TZ)
- Antwerp University Hospital (BE)
- VIB-UAntwerp Center for Molecular Neurology (BE)
- National Institute for Medical Research (TZ)
Publication Details
- Journal
- PLoS neglected tropical diseases
- Published
- 2025-11-26
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0012971
- Primary Topic
- Parasitic Diseases Research and Treatment
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00