Albendazole in the treatment of onchocerciasis: double-blind clinical trial in Venezuela.
A double-blind clinical trial was conducted in Monagas State, Venezuela to assess the tolerance and efficacy of albendazole in the therapy of Onchocerca volvulus infection. Forty-nine patients (26 treated and 23 controls) received a 10-day course of albendazole (400 mg/day) or a placebo. Consistent with the excellent tolerance observed, albendazole did not kill microfilariae. However, analysis of changes in microfilarial densities (mf/mg of skin) over one year showed that albendazole was active against O. volvulus, presumably by interfering with embryogenesis. The nature, degree, and duration of this effect remain to be determined.
Cline
B L
BL
Department of Tropical Medicine, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University Medical Center, New Orleans, Louisiana.
Hernandez
J L
JL
Mather
F J
FJ
Bartholomew
R
R
De Maza
S N
SN
Rodulfo
S
S
Welborn
C A
CA
Eberhard
M L
ML
Convit
J
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015766:Albendazole / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D000867:Anterior Chamber / Q000469:parasitology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004361:Drug Tolerance; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008842:Microfilariae / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification; D008875:Middle Aged; D017181:Onchocerca volvulus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D009855:Onchocerciasis / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000652:urine; D015827:Onchocerciasis, Ocular / Q000188:drug therapy; D012867:Skin / Q000469:parasitology; D014687:Venezuela
D015766:Albendazole