Control of bancroftian filariasis in an endemic area of Polynesia by ivermectin 400 micrograms/kg.

Abstract

Community treatment with ivermectin was implemented in Opoa, French Polynesia from April 1991 to October 1993. All consenting inhabitants aged 3 years or more were treated with twice-yearly single doses of ivermectin, pregnant women excepted. A dosage of 100 microgram/kg was used for the 3 first treatments and then abandoned because it did not reduce the prevalence of microfilariae (mf) carriers. With a dosage of 400 micrograms/kg dosage, this prevalence decreased dramatically from 21% to 7%, and the mf level in carriers dropped to only 0.5% of its initial value after 3 treatments. The 400 micrograms/kg dosage was well tolerated and compliance was excellent. The twice-yearly single dose strategy with ivermectin at 400 micrograms/kg is safe and highly effective for filariasis control in an endemic area.

• Authors: N L Nguyen, J P Moulia-Pelat, J L Cartel
• Journal: Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg) 1996 Nov-Dec Vol. 90 Issue 6 Pg. 689-91 ISSN: 0035-9203 [Print] England
• PMID: 9015520 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Filaricides
• Ivermectin

Topics

• Animals
• Cohort Studies
• Endemic Diseases
• Epidemiology
• Female
• Filariasis (drug therapy, epidemiology)
• Filaricides (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Humans
• Ivermectin (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Male
• Parasitemia (drug therapy)
• Polynesia (epidemiology)
• Prevalence
• Wuchereria bancrofti