Kamate, David Pemba, Neumayr, Andreas, and Blum, Johannes (2026) Konzo: a nutrition-related tropical spastic paraparesis. BMJ Case Reports, 19 (4). e270728.

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Abstract

Konzo, derived from the Yaka term for ‘tired legs’ (Democratic Republic of the Congo, DRC) and also known as Buka-buka in the Bandundu region of DRC, is a nutrition-related neurotoxic disorder confined to sub-Saharan Africa. It predominantly affects impoverished and underserved rural populations who depend on bitter cassava as a dietary staple. Cases of konzo most often arise during the dry season or prolonged droughts, when limited water availability hinders adequate soaking or processing of cassava roots, preventing the effective removal of their toxic cyanide content prior to consumption. Clinically, konzo presents as an acute-onset, symmetrical, isolated motor disorder characterised by non-progressive yet permanent spastic paraparesis. In the absence of a curative treatment, the lifelong consequences of konzo impose a substantial burden on affected individuals and their communities.

Item ID:	92587
Item Type:	Article (Case Study)
ISSN:	1757-790X
Copyright Information:	© BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2026. This is an open access article distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial.
Date Deposited:	18 Sep 2026 04:57
FoR Codes:	42 HEALTH SCIENCES > 4202 Epidemiology > 420208 Nutritional epidemiology @ 50% 42 HEALTH SCIENCES > 4299 Other health sciences > 429999 Other health sciences not elsewhere classified @ 50%
SEO Codes:	20 HEALTH > 2001 Clinical health > 200101 Diagnosis of human diseases and conditions @ 50% 20 HEALTH > 2004 Public health (excl. specific population health) > 200410 Nutrition @ 50%
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