The role of albendazole in programmes to eliminate lymphatic filariasis.
Citing earlier advances in the treatment of lymphatic filariasis [particularly the effectiveness of single-dose diethylcarbamazine (DEC) in reducing microfilaraemia and its enhanced effectiveness when co-administered with single-dose ivermectin], Eric Ottesen, Mahroof Ismail and John Horton consider recent studies on the antifilarial activity of albendazole that have led to the current recommendations for its use in single-dose regimens in conjunction with either DEC or ivermectin for large-scale control/elimination programmes. Furthermore, the potential of albendazole as a macrofilaricide for treating individual patients with lymphatic filarial infections is emphasized as one of a number of important research questions that remain to be explored.
Ottesen
E A
EA
Communicable Diseases Eradication and Elimination Department, World Health Organization, 20 Avenue Appia, CH-1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland. ottensene@who.int
Ismail
M M
MM
Horton
J
J
D015766:Albendazole / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D017178:Brugia malayi / Q000187:drug effects; D004049:Diethylcarbamazine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004605:Elephantiasis, Filarial / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control; D005369:Filaricides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007559:Ivermectin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008842:Microfilariae / Q000187:drug effects; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011634:Public Health; D014958:Wuchereria bancrofti / Q000187:drug effects
D005369:Filaricides; D007559:Ivermectin; D015766:Albendazole; D004049:Diethylcarbamazine