Ann Trop Med Parasit
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Ann Trop Med Parasit · Sep 2004
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialThe safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of levamisole alone, levamisole plus ivermectin, and levamisole plus albendazole, and their efficacy against Onchocerca volvulus.
Two randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials, in which levamisole (2.5 mg/kg) was given alone or co-administered with ivermectin (200 microg/kg) or albendazole (400 mg), were conducted. In Trial 1, safety and drug-drug interaction were explored in 42 healthy male volunteers. During Trial 2, the safety of the same treatment regimens and their efficacy against the adult worms and microfilariae of Onchocerca volvulus were investigated in 66 infected subjects of both sexes. ⋯ Levamisole given alone or with albendazole had little effect on O. volvulus. The combination of levamisole with ivermectin was neither macrofilaricidal nor more effective against the microfilariae and the adult worms than ivermectin alone. The pathogenesis of the adverse events and the drug-drug interactions are discussed.
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Ann Trop Med Parasit · Dec 2003
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialThe effectiveness of 3, 5 or 7 days of albendazole for the treatment of Trichuris trichiura infection.
A randomized clinical trial was carried out to study the relationship between the duration of albendazole therapy, at 400 mg/day, and its effectiveness in the treatment of Trichuris trichiura infection. The 168 patients were treated for three (N=56), five (N=56) or seven (N=56) consecutive days. ⋯ The advantage of using the longer (5- or 7-day) regimens was most apparent among the patients who had heavy infections (at least 1000 Trichuris eggs/g faeces) when treated. It is therefore suggested that albendazole be given for at least 3 days to those with light infections and for 5-7 days to patients with heavy infections.
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Ann Trop Med Parasit · Mar 2003
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialThe co-administration of ivermectin and albendazole--safety, pharmacokinetics and efficacy against Onchocerca volvulus.
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted, to determine whether the co-administration of ivermectin with albendazole is safe and more effective against Onchocerca volvulus than ivermectin alone, and whether a significant pharmacokinetic interaction occurs. Forty-two male onchocerciasis patients received ivermectin (200 mug/kg) alone, albendazole (400 mg) alone or the combination. Safety was determined from the results of detailed clinical and laboratory examinations before treatment, during hospitalization and on day 30. ⋯ There was no significant pharmacokinetic interaction. Although the co-administration of ivermectin with albendazole appears safe, it offers no advantage over ivermectin alone in the control of onchocerciasis. The combination does not require an alteration in the dosage of either component.
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Ann Trop Med Parasit · Dec 2002
Vector-control synergies, between 'roll back malaria' and the Global Programme to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis, in South-east Asia.
The problems of, and opportunities for the control of filarial vectors in the World Health Organization's South-east Asian Region are summarized and discussed. Together, the countries in this region have more than half of the world's burden of lymphatic filariasis (LF), most of it caused by Wuchereria bancrofti transmitted by Culex quinquefasciatus. Although the vectors and the epidemiology and distribution of LF in this area largely differ from those of malaria, some vector-control methods (such as bednets and other personal-protection measures, breeding-site reduction and environmental management) can have an impact on LF, malaria and other mosquito-borne diseases. Some of the relevant issues of programme management and integrated vector control are reviewed.