Pellagra, then and now

Pellagra, then and now

Authors

  • Margaretha Viljoen
  • Nicolaas Claassen School of Health Systems and Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria

Keywords:

niacin-deficiency,, nutritional disorder,, isoniazide

Abstract

By the mid-20th century, pellagra had virtually been eradicated from the USA and Europe. Eradication of the disease on the African continent lags behind. Outbreaks are maintained by escalating food insecurity, violent unrest and possibly by the burden of communicable diseases.

Author Biography

Nicolaas Claassen, School of Health Systems and Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria

Dr N Claassen,

Senior Lecturer,

School of Health Systems and Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria. Pretoria, South Africa.

References

Viljoen M, Bipath P, Roos JL. Aetiological doctrines and prevalence of pellagra: 18th century to middle 20th century. S Afr J Sci 2018; 114(9/10). Art. #4597.

Viljoen M, Bipath P, Tosh C. Pellagra in South Africa from 1897 to 2019: a scoping review. Public Health Nutr 2021; 24(8):2062–2076.

Conz CR. (Un)Cultivating the Disease of Maize: Pellagra, Policy and Nutrition Practice in Lesotho, c.1933–1963. J South Afr Stud 2020; 46(3):509-526.

World Health Organization (WHO). United Nations High Commissions for Refugees. 2000. Pellagra and its prevention and control in major emergencies. WHO reference number: WHO_NHD_00.10.

Matapandeu G, Dunn SH, Pagels P. An Outbreak of Pellagra in the Kasese Catchment Area, Dowa, Malawi. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2017; 96(5):1244-1247.

Kapata N, Zumla A. Preventing pellagra during isoniazid preventive treatment. Lancet Glob. Health 2022; 10(5):e600-e601.

Nabity SA, Mponda K, Gutreuter S, et al. Isoniazid-associated pellagra during mass scale-up of tuberculosis preventive therapy: a case-control study. Lancet Glob Health 2022; 10(5):e705-e714.

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Published

23-12-2022

Issue

Vol. 6 No. 3 (2022)

Section

Letter to Editor: History of Medicine

License

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How to Cite

1.
Viljoen M, Claassen N. Pellagra, then and now. Med Histor [Internet]. 2022 Dec. 23 [cited 2025 Mar. 15];6(3):e2022042. Available from: https://mattioli1885journals.com/index.php/MedHistor/article/view/13508