title: Single-dose diethylcarbamazine in the control of periodic brugian filariasis in Peninsular Malaysia.
abstract: The study compared the effectiveness of a single dose of diethylcarbamazine (DEC) (6mg/kg) with the standard regimen of 6 doses (total 36 mg/kg) in mass chemotherapy for the control of brugian filariasis. Mass chemotherapy with single-dose DEC was instituted in one area and standard dose in the other and treatment was repeated after one year. Parasitological surveys were conducted before, and 3, 7 and 12 months after treatment. Pretreatment characteristics were not significantly different between the 2 treatment areas. There was a significant reduction in microfilaraemia prevalence rate from 24.7% to 14.7% at 12 months and to 6.8% at 19 months in the single dose area and from 22.8% to 9.6% at 12 months and to 2.7% at 19 months with the standard dose. Maximum reduction was at 7 months after treatment with both regimens. There was also significant progressive reduction in mean microfilarial density from 4.39 +/- 20.37 to 0.89 +/- 4.16 per 60 microL in the single-dose area and from 4.43 +/- 17.31 to 0.75 +/- per 60 microL in the standard dose area. There was a greater reduction of both microfilarial prevalence and density using the standard regimen but it was not statistically significant. Thus, a single dose of DEC is as effective as the standard dose in controlling periodic brugian filariasis.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Medical Research, Jalan, Pahang, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Hakim
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Vythilingam
authors.forename: M I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Marzukhi
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Mak
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D017178:Brugia malayi; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004049:Diethylcarbamazine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005368:Filariasis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000469:parasitology; D005369:Filaricides / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008875:Middle Aged; D018512:Parasitemia / Q000188:drug therapy; D010507:Periodicity
chemical_list: D005369:Filaricides; D004049:Diethylcarbamazine