Efficacy of Higher Albendazole and Ivermectin Doses on Wuchereria Bancrofti Microfilarial Clearance in Malawi

Summary

Albendazole and ivermectin are currently used in combination for annual mass treatment of lymphatic filariasis in Africa. Although the drugs have been donated, the cost of such programmes is very high and has proven to be a major impediment to the success of programmes in many countries with limited financial resources. Data from albendazole treatment of other filarial infections and one study comparing single to multi-dose Diethycarbamazine/albendazole in lymphatic filariasis suggest that increased dose and/or frequency of albendazole dosing may be more effective in clearing microfilariae. It is essential to determine whether such higher doses are indeed beneficial since this could have far-reaching effects on the conduct and management of the main mass treatment programmes and also in the management of programmes as they near elimination.

Timeline

Start

2009-01

Primary completion

2012-02

Completion

2012-02

Publications

• Tafatatha TT, Ngwira BM, Taegtmeyer M, Phiri AJ, Wilson TP, Banda LG, Piston WN, Koole O, Horton J, French N. Randomised controlled clinical trial of increased dose and frequency of albendazole and ivermectin on Wuchereria bancrofti microfilarial clearance in northern Malawi. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg. 2015 Jun;109(6):393-9. doi: 10.1093/trstmh/trv027. Epub 2015 Apr 15.

Drugs

Indications