Effects of a 3-day regimen of albendazole (800 mg daily) on Loa loa microfilaraemia.

Author(s): Tsague-Dongmo L, Kamgno J, Pion SD, Moyou-Somo R, Boussinesq M

Affiliation(s): Laboratoire mixte IRD-CPC d'Epidemiologie et de Sante Publique, Centre Pasteur du Cameroun, B.P. 1274, Yaounde, Cameroon.

Publication date & source: 2002-10, Ann Trop Med Parasitol., 96(7):707-15.

Publication type: Clinical Trial; Randomized Controlled Trial

The encephalopathy that sometimes develops after ivermectin treatment in patients with high Loa microfilaraemias is probably related to a massive effect of the drug on the Loa microfilariae. A trial was therefore conducted to evaluate whether a course of albendazole would bring about a slower decrease in the Loa microfilaraemia, and thus could be used as a mass 'clearing' treatment, before the distribution of ivermectin in areas where onchocerciasis and loiasis are co-endemic. The Loa microfilarial loads were followed monthly for 9 months in two groups of subjects, one treated with albendazole (400 mg twice a day for 3 days), and the other with vitamin (B(1), B(6) and B(12)) tablets. There were no significant between-group differences in the microfilarial loads at any of the examination rounds. During the follow-up period, there was also no significant change in the overall loads among those treated with albendazole, although the counts in those with high initial microfilaraemias (>8000 microfilariae/ml) tended to decrease progressively during the first 3 months. Further trials should now be performed, to evaluate the effects on Loa loa of two courses of albendazole given 2-3 months apart.