title: Diethylcarbamazine in the control of bancroftian filariasis in the Ok Tedi area of Papua New Guinea: phase 2--annual single-dose treatment.
abstract: The Phase 1 semiannual single-dose 6 mg/kg diethylcarbamazine (DEC) treatment program demonstrated a significant reduction for Wuchereria bancrofti in the Ok Tedi area of Western Province, Papua New Guinea. The rate of detectable microfilaraemia was effectively reduced from 39% to 11% and mean microfilarial (mf) densities from 79mf/20 microliters to 19mf/20 microliters. The Phase 2 annual single-dose treatment of 6mg/kg DEC not only maintained the gains made during Phase 1 but reduced the microfilaraemia rate to less than 5% by 1990, with mf densities remaining stable at less than 20mf/20 microliters, amongst all participating villagers screened within the 5 original villages. The annual treatment program was expanded into 7 remote villages not subject to any form of active vector control. The microfilaraemia rate in these villages declined from 41% before treatment to 17% after only two annual administrations of 6mg/kg DEC, and mf blood densities were reduced from 71mf/20 microliters to 20mf/20 microliters. As was observed in the 5 original villages participating in the program, a significant reduction in splenomegaly associated with the DEC treatment was reported for the 7 villages in the expanded program during Phase 2; enlarged spleen rates were reduced from 50% (1986) to 32% (1990) and from 76% (1988) to 48% (1990), respectively. Malaria rates on the other hand increased slightly or remained stable. Malaria infections associated with W. bancrofti (mixed parasite infections) stimulated a greater splenic response than either parasite detected on its own.
authors.affiliation: Medical Department, Ok Tedi Mining Limited, Tabubil, Papua New Guinea.
authors.forename: G J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Schuurkamp
authors.forename: R K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Kereu
authors.forename: P K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Bulungol
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kawereng
authors.forename: P E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Spicer
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004049:Diethylcarbamazine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004605:Elephantiasis, Filarial / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology; D006801:Humans; D008288:Malaria / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010219:Papua New Guinea / Q000453:epidemiology; D013163:Splenomegaly / Q000469:parasitology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014958:Wuchereria bancrofti
chemical_list: D004049:Diethylcarbamazine