Effects of thiabendazole in Mansonella perstans filariasis.
Mansonella perstans is a human filarial parasite distributed across the center of Africa and equatorial America. Although M. perstans infection is asymptomatic in most individuals, a variety of symptoms have been described, including angioedema, pruritus, fever, ocular involvement, and serous cavities pain. Eosinophilia is found in many cases. Treatment with diethyl-carbamazine or mebendazole is often ineffective. We present a study on the effects of thiabendazole in the treatment of symptomatic M. perstans filariasis. Twenty-five patients were treated with thiabendazole at a single dose of 50 mg/kg for children and 3 g for adults. Sixteen out of 25 subjects repeated a second dose a week later. Parasite density, eosinophilia, and symptoms were significantly reduced after both one and two-step therapy in most patients. This study shows that thiabendazole may be effective in M. perstans infection. More studies are needed to determine a more effective dosage, or a putative combination treatment.
Bregani
E R
ER
Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Emergency Medicine, Ospedale Maggiore IRCCS, Milan, Italy. rino_bregani@yahoo.it
Rovellini
A
A
Tarsia
P
P
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D002648:Child; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004802:Eosinophilia / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005369:Filaricides / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008366:Mansonella / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D008368:Mansonelliasis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008842:Microfilariae / Q000187:drug effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D018512:Parasitemia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011537:Pruritus / Q000209:etiology; D013827:Thiabendazole / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D005369:Filaricides; D013827:Thiabendazole