Control of bancroftian filariasis in an endemic area of Polynesia by ivermectin 400 micrograms/kg.
Community treatment with ivermectin was implemented in Opoa, French Polynesia from April 1991 to October 1993. All consenting inhabitants aged 3 years or more were treated with twice-yearly single doses of ivermectin, pregnant women excepted. A dosage of 100 microgram/kg was used for the 3 first treatments and then abandoned because it did not reduce the prevalence of microfilariae (mf) carriers. With a dosage of 400 micrograms/kg dosage, this prevalence decreased dramatically from 21% to 7%, and the mf level in carriers dropped to only 0.5% of its initial value after 3 treatments. The 400 micrograms/kg dosage was well tolerated and compliance was excellent. The twice-yearly single dose strategy with ivermectin at 400 micrograms/kg is safe and highly effective for filariasis control in an endemic area.
Nguyen
N L
NL
Institut Territorial de Recherches Médicales Louis Malardé, Papeete, Tahiti, French Polynesia.
Moulia-Pelat
J P
JP
Cartel
J L
JL
D000818:Animals; D015331:Cohort Studies; D019353:Endemic Diseases; D004813:Epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005368:Filariasis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D005369:Filaricides / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007559:Ivermectin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D018512:Parasitemia / Q000188:drug therapy; D011114:Polynesia / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D014958:Wuchereria bancrofti
D005369:Filaricides; D007559:Ivermectin