Effect of Albendazole Dose on Clearance of Filarial Worms
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2011-04-28
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
This study, conducted in Chennai, India, will determine whether a new treatment regimen of
albendazole and diethylcarbamazine for lymphatic filariasis can eliminate the disease more
quickly than the standard regimen. Lymphatic filariasis is caused by infection with very
small filarial worms, particulalry Wuchereria bancroti, that are spread by mosquitoes. The
infection can lead to swelling of the arms, legs, breast and scrotum and can progress to
permanent swelling of the legs or arms called elephantiasis. The study will see if a higher
and more frequent dose of albendazole is better at clearing filarial worms from the blood
than the current treatment.
Healthy people between 18 and 55 years of age who are in good health and who are infected
with Wuchereria bancrofti may be eligible for this 28-month study. Candidates must be willing
to spend 4 days in the Government General Hospital in Chennai, India, at the beginning of the
study. They are screened with a medical history, a brief physical examination, ultrasound
(picture generated by sound waves) of the groin or chest, and blood tests to check for
infection with Wuchereria bancrofti and to measure white blood cell counts.
Participants undergo the following procedures:
-4-day hospitalization
Random assignment to receive either standard treatment (400 mg albendazole and 300 mg DEC
given once a year for 2 years) or the experimental regimen (800 mg albendazole and 300 mg DEC
given twice a year for 2 years)
Urine pregnancy test for women of childbearing age
Receive first treatment dose
Monitoring for symptoms
-6-month outpatient visit
Short history, physical examination and blood test
Second treatment dose for subjects receiving 800 mg albendazole
Urine pregnancy test for women of childbearing age
-1-year outpatient visit
Short history, physical examination and blood test
Second or third treatment dose, depending on treatment group
Repeat ultrasound in subjects whose first ultrasound detected adult worm
Urine pregnancy test for women of childbearing age
-18-month outpatient visit
Short history, physical examination and blood test
Fourth treatment dose for subjects receiving 800 mg albendazole
Urine pregnancy test for women of childbearing age
-24-month outpatient visit
Short history, physical examination and blood test
Final dose of albendazole and DEC at standard doses
Repeat ultrasound in subjects whose first ultrasound detected adult worms
Urine pregnancy test for women of childbearing age
Phase:
Phase 2
Details
Lead Sponsor:
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)