Neuromyelitis optica in Sub-Saharan Africa: the first case report from Togo.

Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) appears to affect blacks disproportionately in mixed populations. We report the first case of documented NMO in Togo (West Africa). A 26-year-old Togolese woman was admitted for progressive tetraplegia, acute urine retention, and dyspnea. Magnetic resonance imaging of the cervical spinal cord demonstrated an extensive longitudinal lesion, and an ophthalmologic examination found bilateral optic neuritis. Antibody testing for AQP4-IgG was positive. The patient died of severe respiratory distress despite high doses of intravenous corticosteroids. Epidemiological data about NMO in sub-Saharan Africa would improve our understanding of the role of genetic and environmental risk factors in this disease.