Effect of Albendazole Dose on Clearance of Filarial Worms

Overview

This study, conducted in Chennai, India, will determine whether a new treatment regimen of albendazole and diethylcarbamazine for lymphatic filariasis can eliminate the disease more quickly than the standard regimen. Lymphatic filariasis is caused by infection with very small filarial worms, particulalry Wuchereria bancroti, that are spread by mosquitoes. The infection can lead to swelling of the arms, legs, breast and scrotum and can progress to permanent swelling of the legs or arms called elephantiasis. The study will see if a higher and more frequent dose of albendazole is better at clearing filarial worms from the blood than the current treatment. Healthy people between 18 and 55 years of age who are in good health and who are infected with Wuchereria bancrofti may be eligible for this 28-month study. Candidates must be willing to spend 4 days in the Government General Hospital in Chennai, India, at the beginning of the study. They are screened with a medical history, a brief physical examination, ultrasound (picture generated by sound waves) of the groin or chest, and blood tests to check for infection with Wuchereria bancrofti and to measure white blood cell counts. Participants undergo the following procedures: -4-day hospitalization Random assignment to receive either standard treatment (400 mg albendazole and 300 mg DEC given once a year for 2 years) or the experimental regimen (800 mg albendazole and 300 mg DEC given twice a year for 2 years) Urine pregnancy test for women of childbearing age Receive first treatment dose Monitoring for symptoms -6-month outpatient visit Short history, physical examination and blood test Second treatment dose for subjects receiving 800 mg albendazole Urine pregnancy test for women of childbearing age -1-year outpatient 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 worm Urine pregnancy test for women of childbearing age -18-month outpatient visit Short history, physical examination and blood test Fourth treatment dose for subjects receiving 800 mg albendazole Urine pregnancy test for women of childbearing age -24-month outpatient visit Short history, physical examination and blood test Final dose of albendazole and DEC at standard doses Repeat ultrasound in subjects whose first ultrasound detected adult worms Urine pregnancy test for women of childbearing age

Albendazole and diethylcarbamazine (DEC) are currently used in combination for annual mass treatment of lymphatic filariasis in all parts of the world except 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. In this study, 50 volunteers with microfilaremic Wuchereria bancrofti infection will be randomized to receive standard annual therapy (albendazole 400 mg + DEC 300 mg) or semiannual therapy with an increased albendazole dose (albendazole 800 mg + DEC 300 mg). 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 two years to determine whether the higher dose, more frequent regimen is more effective.