Clinical characteristics of post-treatment reactions to ivermectin/albendazole for Wuchereria bancrofti in a region co-endemic for Mansonella perstans

Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2003 Sep;69(3):331-5.

Abstract

Post-treatment reactions to single-dose ivermectin (200 microg/kg) and albendazole (400 mg) were studied in a filarial endemic region of Mali. The prevalence of Wuchereria bancrofti in this region was 48.3% (69 of 143), and coinfection with Mansonella perstans was common (30 of 40, 75%). Microfilarial levels of M. perstans correlated positively with age (P = 0.006) and with W. bancrofti microfilarial levels (P = 0.006). Forty individuals (28 infected and 12 uninfected) were treated, with mild post-treatment reactions occurring in 35.7% (7 of 28) of the W. bancrofti-infected subjects. Reaction severity correlated with pretreatment W. bancrofti microfilarial levels (P = 0.001). There were no significant differences in the prevalence or severity of post-treatment reactions in those who were co-infected with M. perstans. It is concluded that co-infection with M. perstans does not significantly alter the post-treatment reaction profile to single-dose ivermectin/albendazole in W. bancrofti infection in this community, and that acute post-treatment reactions should not limit patient compliance in community-based programs to eliminate lymphatic filariasis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Systems
  • Aged
  • Albendazole / administration & dosage*
  • Albendazole / adverse effects
  • Animals
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Female
  • Filariasis / blood
  • Filariasis / drug therapy*
  • Filariasis / epidemiology
  • Filaricides / administration & dosage*
  • Filaricides / adverse effects
  • Humans
  • Ivermectin / administration & dosage*
  • Ivermectin / adverse effects
  • Male
  • Mali / epidemiology
  • Mansonella
  • Middle Aged
  • Outcome Assessment, Health Care
  • Prevalence
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Wuchereria bancrofti

Substances

  • Filaricides
  • Ivermectin
  • Albendazole