Neurocysticercosis and epilepsy in sub-Saharan Africa

•Neurocysticercosis is an important cause of epilepsy in sub-Saharan Africa.•Epilepsy represents its main manifestation but headache, neuropsychiatric disorders are also possible.•CT scan is the principal neuroimaging available in this setting.•The poor level of sanitation and low economic status contribute to high prevalence of neurocystiercosis.•Commitment of both human and animal stakeholders is one of the conditions to break the Taenia solium lifecycle. Neurocysticercosis is a public health problem and the leading cause of epilepsy in developing countries especially in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). In this paper, the authors review the epidemiology of cysticercosis and neurocysticercosis, as well as the non-specific clinical manifestations which render clinical diagnosis challenging especially in the sub-Saharan African context. Special attention is given to the association of epilepsy and neurocysticercosis, the former being the most common symptom of the later, and the role of the later in epileptogenesis is discussed. The state of the art guidelines regarding diagnostic tests and treatment options are discussed and proposals for prevention are made, given the specific socio-culturaland economic context of the endemic countries, mostly in SSA.