Short-term effects of treatment with 300 mg oral-dose diethylcarbamazine on nocturnally periodic Wuchereria bancrofti microfilaremia and antigenemia.
Seven microfilaremic Myanmar patients were treated with a single 300 mg dose of diethylcarbamazine (DEC) orally, as part of a case-finding survey in Ranong Province, Southern Thailand. This was conducted in order to evaluate the short-term effects of single-dose DEC on Wuchereria bancrofti microfilaremia and antigenemia during a 12-week course of treatment. Analysis of microfilarial periodicity on initial treatment revealed the microfilarial peak density (k) was at 52 minutes after midnight (0052). The periodicity index was then 103.26%. Single-dose DEC treatment did not affect the k values. A linear model of W. bancrofti microfilarial density reduction predicts a sharp decrease in the mean microfilarial density 2 weeks after DEC intake (Z = -2.197, p = 0.028). Over a longer period, a non-linear model predicts an increase in the mean microfilarial density to pre-treatment levels, having little or no macrofilaricidal effects. We reconfirmed the existence of nocturnally periodic W. bancrofti infection in Myanmar migrants in Ranong Province, and the short-term microfilaricidal activity of 300 mg single-dose DEC treatment used for biannual mass treatment and the DEC provocative test. Without an adequate DEC treatment dose, recrudescence can occur. A rational approach to the management of introduced nocturnally periodic W. bancrofti in Myanmar migrants, who came for short periods of stay in transmission-prone areas, is needed.
Siriaut
Chumsin
C
Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Bhumiratana
Adisak
A
Koyadun
Surachart
S
Anurat
Kowit
K
Satitvipawee
Pratana
P
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000947:Antigens, Helminth / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects*; D004049:Diethylcarbamazine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005368:Filariasis / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control; D005369:Filaricides / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008842:Microfilariae / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002052:Myanmar / Q000208:ethnology; D010507:Periodicity; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D013785:Thailand / Q000453:epidemiology; D014171:Transients and Migrants; D014958:Wuchereria bancrofti / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000302:isolation & purification
D000947:Antigens, Helminth; D005369:Filaricides; D004049:Diethylcarbamazine