Evaluation of antibacterial soap in the management of lymphoedema in Leogane, Haiti.
In areas endemic for lymphatic filariasis, progression of lymphoedema is associated with recurrent bacterial acute dermatolymphangioadenitis (ADLA). The role of antibacterial soap in preventing ADLA is unknown. In a randomized double-blinded clinical trial in Leogane, Haiti, lymphoedema patients washed affected legs with antibacterial (n = 97) or plain soap (n = 100). Reported ADLA incidence (by recall) before the study was 1.1 episodes per person-year, compared to 0.40 assessed during the 12-month study. ADLA incidence was significantly associated with age, illiteracy and lymphoedema stage, but not with soap type. Washing with soap, regardless of its antibacterial content, can help decrease ADLA incidence. (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier number NCT00139100.).
Addiss
David G
DG
Division of Parasitic Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA. dgaddiss@yahoo.com
Michel
Marie-Carmel
MC
Michelus
Antoine
A
Radday
Jeanne
J
Billhimer
Ward
W
Louis-Charles
Jacky
J
Roberts
Jacquelin M
JM
Kramp
Kathy
K
Dahl
Benjamin A
BA
Keswick
Bruce
B
D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004605:Elephantiasis, Filarial / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006205:Haiti / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008209:Lymphedema / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D012915:Soaps / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D012915:Soaps