title: Effect of Two or Six Doses 800 mg of Albendazole Every Two Months on Loa loa Microfilaraemia: A Double Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Loiasis is a parasitic infection endemic in the African rain forest caused by the filarial nematode Loa loa. Loiasis can be co-endemic with onchocerciasis and/or lymphatic filariasis. Ivermectin, the drug used in the control of these diseases, can induce serious adverse reactions in patients with high L loa microfilaraemia (LLM). A drug is needed which can lower LLM below the level that represents a risk so that ivermectin mass treatment to support onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis elimination can be implemented safely.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty men and women from a loiasis endemic area in Cameroon were randomized after stratification by screening LLM (≤ 30000, 30001-50000, >50000) to three treatment arms: two doses albendazole followed by 4 doses matching placebo (n = 20), six doses albendazole (n = 20) albendazole or 6 doses matching placebo (n = 20) administered every two months. LLM was measured before each treatment and 14, 18, 21 and 24 months after the first treatment. Monitoring for adverse events occurred three and seven days as well as 2 months after each treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  None of the adverse events recorded were considered treatment related. The percentages of participants with ≥ 50% decrease in LLM from pre-treatment for ≥ 4 months were 53%, 17% and 11% in the 6-dose, 2-dose and placebo treatment arms, respectively. The difference between the 6-dose and the placebo arm was significant (p = 0.01). The percentages of participants with LLM < 8100 mf/ml for ≥ 4 months were 21%, 11% and 0% in the 6-dose, 2-dose and placebo treatment arms, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The 6-dose regimen reduced LLM significantly, but the reduction was insufficient to eliminate the risk of severe and/or serious adverse reactions during ivermectin mass drug administration in loiasis co-endemic areas.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Research on Filariasis and other Tropical Diseases (CRFilMT), Yaoundé, Cameroon.|Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé 1, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kamgno
authors.affiliation: Centre for Research on Filariasis and other Tropical Diseases (CRFilMT), Yaoundé, Cameroon.|Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé 1, Yaoundé, Cameroon.|London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Nguipdop-Djomo
authors.affiliation: Centre for Research on Filariasis and other Tropical Diseases (CRFilMT), Yaoundé, Cameroon.|Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé 1, Yaoundé, Cameroon.|London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom.|Parasitology and Ecology Laboratory, Department of Animal Biology and Physiology, Faculty of Science, University of Yaoundé 1, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
authors.forename: Raceline
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gounoue
authors.affiliation: Centre Pasteur du Cameroun, Yaounde Cameroon.
authors.forename: Mathurin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Téjiokem
authors.affiliation: UNICEF/UNDP/World Bank/WHO Special Programme on Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR), WHO, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Annette C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Kuesel
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015766:Albendazole / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D000871:Anthelmintics / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D002163:Cameroon; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008118:Loiasis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010919:Placebos / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000871:Anthelmintics; D010919:Placebos; D015766:Albendazole