Long-term suppression of microfilaraemia following ivermectin treatment.
Lymphatic filariasis has been difficult to control until recently because of the lack of a suitable drug for treatment. Ivermectin has proven safe and effective at reducing levels of circulating microfilariae. However, the apparent need to administer the drug every 6 to 9 months to keep microfilaraemia levels sufficiently suppressed to reduce transmission has been a major drawback to using ivermectin in community-based intervention programmes. In a study conducted in Haiti, we have found that high doses of ivermectin suppress microfilaraemia levels for 2 years. Our findings suggest that a single dose of ivermectin can reduce transmission of lymphatic filariasis for extended periods of time, thus eliminating the need for costly biannual treatment.
Eberhard
M L
ML
Division of Parasitic Diseases, Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta, GA 30333.
Hightower
A W
AW
McNeeley
D F
DF
Lammie
P J
PJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D004605:Elephantiasis, Filarial / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007559:Ivermectin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008842:Microfilariae / Q000302:isolation & purification; D008875:Middle Aged; D011897:Random Allocation; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014958:Wuchereria bancrofti / Q000302:isolation & purification
D007559:Ivermectin