Advantages of an annual single dose of ivermectin 400 micrograms/kg plus diethylcarbamazine for community treatment of bancroftian filariasis.
In 1994 and 1995, 2 supervised single dose treatments for bancroftian filariasis were given to all inhabitants ( > 3500) aged > or = 3 years on a Polynesian island. This island is divided into 4 political zones. Each zone was treated with a different dosage of the combination ivermectin (IVR) and diethylcarbamazine (DEC) as follows: (1) IVR 400 micrograms/kg plus DEC 6mg/kg, (2) IVR 400 micrograms/kg alone, (3) DEC 6 mg/kg alone (4) IVR 400 micrograms/kg plus DEC 3 mg/kg. 1717 inhabitants (aged > or = 20 years) had venous blood sampled when treated. The reductions in microfilaraemia prevalence rates one year after treatment were, respectively, 32%, 11%, 14% and 32%. The reductions in microfilaraemia levels one year after treatment were, respectively, 96%, 80%, 82% and 95%. Stool specimens from 82 children aged 6 years were examined for intestinal nematodes just before and just after treatment. IVR 400 micrograms/kg significantly reduced the prevalence and intensity of trichiuriasis. The combination IVR + DEC is a powerful tool for the control of lymphatic filariasis. Further studies are required to determine the appropriate presentation of DEC (salt and/or tablets), the frequency of treatment, and the duration of the control programme necessary to eradicate this disease.
Moulia-Pelat
J P
JP
Institut Territorial de Recherches Médicales Louis Malardé, Papeete, Tahiti, Polyésie Française.
Nguyen
L N
LN
Hascoët
H
H
Luquiaud
P
P
Nicolas
L
L
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004049:Diethylcarbamazine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D005368:Filariasis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005369:Filaricides / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007411:Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / Q000469:parasitology; D007559:Ivermectin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014257:Trichuriasis / Q000188:drug therapy; D014958:Wuchereria bancrofti
D004338:Drug Combinations; D005369:Filaricides; D007559:Ivermectin; D004049:Diethylcarbamazine