Effect of Albendazole Dose on Clearance of Filarial Worms

This study, conducted in Mali, West Africa, will determine whether a new treatment regimen for lymphatic filariasis can eliminate the disease more quickly than the standard regimen. Lymphatic filariasis is caused by infection with very small filarial worms called Wuchereria bancrofti that are spread by mosquitoes. The disease can cause swelling of the arms, legs, breast and genitalia and can progress to permanent swelling of the legs or arms called elephantiasis. Currently, patients in Mali are treated with a single dose of 400 mg of albendazole plus two doses of 200 mcg/kg of ivermectin each year. This study will use a regimen of 800 mg of albendazole twice a year plus 200 mcg/kg of ivermectin twice a year for 2 years. The study will see if the new regimen is more effective in lowering the numbers of Wuchereria bancrofti in the blood and will examine the effects of the two treatments on the adult worms living in the lymph system.

Healthy people between 14 and 65 years of age who live in the Mali village of N'Tessoni and are infected with Wuchereria bancrofti may be eligible for this study. Candidates are screened with a medical history, a brief physical examination and blood tests to check for infection with Wuchereria bancrofti and to measure white blood cell counts.

Participants undergo the following procedures:

-First visit

Ultrasound examination to look for filarial worms in the body.

Random assignment to receive either standard treatment or the experimental regimen

Urine pregnancy test for women of child-bearing age.

Receive first treatment dose.

-6-month visit

Short history, physical examination and blood test.

Second treatment dose for subjects in experimental treatment group.

Urine pregnancy test for women of childbearing age.

-1-year visit

Short history, physical examination and blood test.

Second or third treatment dose, depending on treatment group.

Repeat ultrasound in subjects whose first ultrasound detected adult worms.

Urine pregnancy test for women of childbearing age.

-18-month visit

Short history, physical examination and blood test.

Fourth treatment dose for subjects in experimental treatment group.

Urine pregnancy test for women of childbearing age.

-24-month visit

Short history, physical examination and blood test.

Repeat ultrasound in subjects whose first ultrasound detected adult worms.

Urine pregnancy test for women of childbearing age.

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 programs is very high and has proven to be a major impediment to the success of programs in many countries with limited financial resources. Data from albendazole treatment of other filarial infections and one study comparing single to multi-dose DEC/albendazole in lymphatic filariasis suggest that increased dose and/or frequency of albendazole dosing may be more effective in clearing microfilariae. Furthermore, the optimal dose of ivermectin for the treatment of lymphatic filariasis is greater than that being used in the current mass treatment program. In this study, 50 volunteers with microfilaremic Wuchereria bancrofti infection will be randomized to receive standard annual therapy (albendazole 400 mg + ivermectin 150 mcg/kg) or semiannual therapy with an increased albendazole dose (albendazole 800 mg + ivermectin 400 mcg/kg). If adequate numbers of microfilaremic subjects are recruited, an additional 25 volunteers will receive annual therapy with the increased dose combination. Microfilarial levels, as well as measures of adult worm burden (circulating antigen, ultrasound identification of adult worm nests) will be followed every six months for three years to assess the effects of the treatments.

Eligibility Criteria:
* INCLUSION CRITERIA (Screening):
* age 14 to 65.
* men and women\*.

  * Please note: women are not permitted to leave their homes at night without the approval of their husband or, if they are not married, a parent or male guardian. Since this protocol involves blood drawing at night, such approval is necessary for participation.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA (Screening):

* non-volunteers.
* age less than 14 or greater than 65.
* pregnant by history.

INCLUSION CRITERIA (Treatment):

* age 14 to 65 years.
* men and women.\*
* Wb microfilarial count greater than or equal to 50 mf/ml.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA (Treatment):

* non-volunteers.
* age less than 14 or greater than 65.
* pregnancy.
* Hgb less than 9 g/dl.
* Heavy alcohol use (more than 7 beer or other alcohol-containing drink/week).
* Temperature greater than 37.5C or other serious medical illnesses.
* history of benzimidazole allergy.
* history of ivermectin allergy.
* use of albendazole or ivermectin within the past 6 months.