Efficacy of Higher Albendazole and Ivermectin Doses on Wuchereria Bancrofti Microfilarial Clearance in Malawi
Status:
Terminated
Trial end date:
2012-02-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
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.