Resumo

ROSADO GARCIA, Félix Manuel  e  NUNEZ FERNANDEZ, Fidel Ángel. Intestinal parasitism and its possible influence on refractory epilepsy. Rev Cubana Hig Epidemiol [online]. 2013, vol.51, n.3, pp. 337-375. ISSN 1561-3003.

Intestinal parasitic infections have high prevalence rates and a broad worldwide distribution, mainly in tropical and subtropical regions. On the other hand, it has been estimated that about 50 million persons suffer from epilepsy, of whom 85% live in tropical or developing regions. The prevalence of epilepsy in Cuba ranges between 3.3 and 9 per thousand inhabitants. According to these figures, there must be about 60 thousand epileptics in the country. The presence of intestinal parasites could contribute to make epilepsy refractory to antiepileptic drugs, based on the physiopathological hypothesis that some parasites could have the biological capacity to interfere with the absorption of the drugs. Ever more profound knowledge about the role of intestinal parasites and their relationship to the control of epilepsy, could become an important tool to understand this neurological disorder, especially in developing countries, where intestinal parasite infections are endemic.

Palavras-chave : intestinal parasites; epilepsy; antiepileptic drugs; absorption.

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