Double-blind controlled trial of a single dose of the combination ivermectin 400 micrograms/kg plus diethylcarbamazine 6 mg/kg for the treatment of bancroftian filariasis: results at six months.
In 1993, a three-arm double-blind controlled trial was implemented in French Polynesia to compare the tolerance and efficacy of a single dose of the combination ivermectin (IVR) 400 micrograms/kg plus diethylcarbamazine (DEC) 6 mg/kg vs. IVR 400 micrograms/kg alone vs. DEC 6 mg/kg alone, for treatment of Wuchereria bancrofti carriers. Of the 57 treated male patients in whom microfilaria (mf) densities ranged from 22 to 4709 mg/mL, 3 groups of 19 were randomly selected and allocated to one of the 3 treatments. Side effects were experienced by 34 patients (60%), but none suffered a severe reaction. Grade of reaction did not differ between treatment group, but was significantly correlated with the pretreatment mf density. Six months after treatment, 26%, 32% and 53% of patients were amicrofilaraemic in the DEC, IVR and IVR+DEC groups, respectively. Mf levels were 6.3%, and 3.1% and 1.0% of the pretreatment level, respectively, significantly lower in the IVR+DEC group than in both the IVR and DEC comparison groups. The combination IVR+DEC showed promise in term of sustained mf decrease, and could be an effective alternative for lymphatic filariasis control programmes.
Glaziou
P
P
Institut Territorial de Recherches Médicales Louis Malardé, Papeete, Tahiti, French Polynesia.
Moulia-Pelat
J P
JP
Nguyen
L N
LN
Chanteau
S
S
Martin
P M
PM
Cartel
J L
JL
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D002353:Carrier State / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004049:Diethylcarbamazine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005368:Filariasis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007559:Ivermectin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012008:Recurrence; D014958:Wuchereria bancrofti
D004338:Drug Combinations; D007559:Ivermectin; D004049:Diethylcarbamazine