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Albendazole for lymphatic filariasis

  1. David Addiss2,
  2. Carrol L Gamble3,
  3. Paul Garner4,
  4. Hellen Gelband5,
  5. Henry OD Ejere6,
  6. Julia A Critchley1,*,
  7. International Filariasis Review Group4

Editorial Group: Cochrane Infectious Diseases Group

Published Online: 21 JAN 2009

Assessed as up-to-date: 13 AUG 2005

DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD003753.pub3

Database Title

Additional Information

How to Cite

Addiss D, Gamble CL, Garner P, Gelband H, Ejere HOD, Critchley JA, International Filariasis Review Group. Albendazole for lymphatic filariasis. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2005, Issue 4. Art. No.: CD003753. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD003753.pub3.

Author Information

  1. 1

    Newcastle University, Institute of Health and Society, Newcastle, Tyne and Wear, UK

  2. 2

    Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Parasitic Diseases, Atlanta, Georgia, USA

  3. 3

    University of Liverpool, Centre for Medical Statistics and Health Evaluation, Liverpool, UK

  4. 4

    Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, International Health Group, Liverpool, Merseyside, UK

  5. 5

    Resources for the Future, Washington, DC, USA

  6. 6

    Metropolitan Hospital, Department of Medicine, New York, USA

*Julia A Critchley, Institute of Health and Society, Newcastle University, William Leech Building, The Medical School, Newcastle, Tyne and Wear, NE2 4HH, UK. J.A.Critchley@newcastle.ac.uk.

Publication History

  1. Publication Status: Edited (no change to conclusions)
  2. Published Online: 21 JAN 2009

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References

References to studies included in this review

  1. References to studies included in this review
  2. References to studies excluded from this review
  3. References to ongoing studies
  4. Additional references
  5. References to other published versions of this review
Beach 1999 {published data only}
  • Addiss DG, Beach MJ, Streit TG, Lutwick S, LeConte FH, Lafontant JG, et al. Randomised placebo-controlled comparison of ivermectin and albendazole alone and in combination for Wuchereria bancrofti microfilaraemia in Haitian children. Lancet 1997;350(9076):480-4.
  • Beach MJ, Streit TG, Addiss DG, Prospere R, Roberts JM, Lammie PJ. Assessment of combined ivermectin and albendazole for treatment of intestinal helminth and Wuchereria bancrofti infections in Haitian school children. American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 1999;60(3):479-86.
Dunyo 2000 {published data only}
  • Dunyo SK, Nkrumah FK, Simonsen PE. A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled field trial of ivermectin and albendazole alone and in combination for the treatment of lymphatic filariasis in Ghana. Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 2000;94(2):205-11.
  • Dunyo SK, Nkrumah FK, Simonsen PE. Single-dose treatment of Wuchereria bancrofti infections with ivermectin and albendazole alone or in combination: evaluation of the potential for control at 12 months after treatment. Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 2000;94(4):437-43.
  • Dunyo SK, Simonsen PE. Ivermectin and albendazole alone and in combination for the treatment of lymphatic filariasis. Transactions of the Royal Society for Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 2002;96(2):189-92.
Fox 2005 {unpublished data only}
  • Fox LM, Furness BW, Haser JK, Desire D, Brissau JM, Milord MD, et al. Tolerance and efficacy of combined diethylcarbamazine and albendazole for treatment of Wuchereria bancrofti and intestinal helminth infections in Haitian children. American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene 2005;73(1):115-21.
Jayakody 1993 {published data only}
  • Jayakody RL, De Silva CS, Weerasinghe WM. Treatment of bancroftian filariasis with albendazole: evaluation of efficacy and adverse reactions. Tropical Biomedicine 1993;10:19-24.
Kshirsagar 2004 {published data only}
  • Kshirsagar NA, Gogtay NJ, Garg BS, Deshmukh PR, Rajgor DD, Kadam VS, et al. Safety, tolerability, efficacy and plasma concentrations of diethylcarbamazine and albendazole co-administration in a field study in an area endemic for lymphatic filariasis in India. Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 2004;98(4):205-17.
Pani 2002 {published data only}
  • Pani S, Subramanyam Reddy G, Das L, Vanamail P, Hoti S, Ramesh J, et al. Tolerability and efficacy of single dose albendazole, diethylcarbamazine citrate (DEC) or co-administration of albendazole with DEC in the clearance of Wuchereria bancrofti in asymptomatic microfilaraemic volunteers in Pondicherry, South India: a hospital-based study. Filaria Journal 2002;1(1):1.
  • Pani SP, Reddy SR, Das LK, Vanamail P. Efficacy of single dose albendazole, diethylcarbamazine citrare (DEC) or co-administration of both in clearance of Wuchereria bancrofti microfilarial and adult parasites in asymptomatic microfilaraemic volunteers: Results of two-year follow-up. Indian Journal of Lymphology 2004;2:20-3.
Simonsen 2004 {unpublished data only}
  • Simonsen PE, Magesa SM, Dunyo SK, Malecela-Lazaro MN, Michael E. The effect of single dose ivermectin alone or in combination with albendazole on Wuchereria bancrofti infection in primary school children in Tanzania. Transactions of the Royal Soceity of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 2004;98(8):462-72.

References to studies excluded from this review

  1. References to studies included in this review
  2. References to studies excluded from this review
  3. References to ongoing studies
  4. Additional references
  5. References to other published versions of this review
Dunyo 2002 {published data only}
  • Dunyo SK, Simonsen PE. Ivermectin and albendazole alone and in combination for the treatment of lymphatic filariasis in Ghana: follow-up after re-treatment with the combination.. Transaction of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 2002;96(2):189-92.
Ismail 1998 {published data only}
  • Dunyo SK, Simonsen PE. Ivermectin and albendazole alone and in combination for the treatment of lymphatic filariasis in Ghana: follow-up after re-treatment with the combination.. Transactions of the Royal Society Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 2002;96(2):189-92.
  • Ismail MM, Jayakody RL, Weil GJ, Fernando D, De Silva MS, De Silva GA, et al. Long-term efficacy of single-dose combinations of albendazole, ivermectin and diethylcarbamazine for the treatment of bancroftian filariasis. Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 2001;95(3):332-5.
  • Ismail MM, Jayakody RL, Weil GJ, Nirmalan N, Jayasinghe KS, Abeyewickrema W, et al. Efficacy of single dose combinations of albendazole, ivermectin and diethylcarbamazine for the treatment of bancroftian filariasis. Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 1998;92(1):94-7.
Makunde 2003 {published data only}
  • Makunde WH, Kamugisha LM, Massaga JJ, Makunde RW, Savael ZX, Akida J, et al. Treatment of co-infection with bancroftian filariasis and onchocerciasis: a safety and efficacy study of albendazole with ivermectin compared to treatment of single infection with bancroftian filariasis. Filaria Journal 2003;2(1):15.
Shenoy 1999 {published data only}
  • Shenoy RK, Dalia S, John A, Suma TK, Kumaraswami V. Treatment of the microfilaraemia of asymptomatic brugian filariasis with single doses of ivermectin, diethylcarbamazine or albendazole, in various combinations. Annals of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology 1999;93(6):643-51.
  • Shenoy RK, John A, Babu BS, Suma TK, Kumaraswami V. Two-year follow-up of the microfilaraemia of asymptomatic brugian filariasis, after treatment with two, annual, single doses of ivermectin, diethylcarbamazine and albendazole, in various combinations. Annals of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology 2000;94(6):607-14.
Shenoy 2002 {published data only}
  • Shenoy RK, Suma TK, John A, Arun SR, Kumaraswami V, Fleckenstein LL, et al. The pharmacokinetics, safety and tolerability of the co-administration of diethylcarbamine and albendazole. Annals of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology 2002;96(6):603-14.

References to ongoing studies

  1. References to studies included in this review
  2. References to studies excluded from this review
  3. References to ongoing studies
  4. Additional references
  5. References to other published versions of this review
Dahoma (ongoing) {published data only (unpublished sought but not used)}
  • Dahoma, et al. Assessment of safety and efficacy of ivermectin and albendazole co-administration.

Additional references

  1. References to studies included in this review
  2. References to studies excluded from this review
  3. References to ongoing studies
  4. Additional references
  5. References to other published versions of this review
Addiss 2000
  • Addiss D, Dreyer G. Treatment of lymphatic filariasis. In: Nutman BT editor(s). Lymphatic filariasis. London: Imperial College Press, 2000:151-99.
Andrade 1995
  • Andrade LD, Medeiros Z, Pires ML, Pimentel A, Rocha A, Figueredo-Silva J, et al. Comparative efficacy of three different diethylcarbamazine regimens in lymphatic filariasis. Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 1995;89(3):319-21.
Barat 1997
Basanez 1994
  • Basanez MG, Boussinesq M, Prod'hon J, Frontado H, Villamizar NJ, Medley GF, et al. Density-dependent processes in the transmission of human onchocerciasis: intensity of microfilariae in theskin and their uptake by the simuliid host. Parasitology 1994;108(Pt 1):115-27.
Burkot 2002
  • Burkot TR, Taleo G, Toeaso V, Ichimori K. Progress towards, and challenges for, the elimination of filariasis from Pacific-island communities. Annals of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology 2002;96 Suppl 2:61-9.
Cao 1997
  • Cao WC, Van der Ploeg CP, Plaisier AP, van der Sluijs IJ, Habbema JD. Ivermectin for the chemotherapy of bancroftian filariasis: a meta-analysis of the effect of single treatment. Tropical Medicine and International Health 1997;2(4):393-403.
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Cartel 1990
  • Cartel JL, Sechan Y, Boutin JP, Celerier P, Plichart R, Roux JF. Ivermectin for treatement of bancroftian filariasis French Polynesia: efficacy in man, effect on transmission by vector Aedes polynesiensis. Tropical Medicine and Parasitology 1990;41(3):241-4.
CDS/FIL 1998
  • Filariasis Elimination Programme (CDS/FIL). Division of Control of Tropical Diseases, Communicable Diseases. Report from informal consultation on albendazole research findings in lymphatic filariasis; WHO/FIL/98.194; (closed document). Geneva: World Health Organization, 1998.
Coutinho 1994
  • Coutinho AD, Dreyer G, Medeiros Z, Lopes E, Machado G, Galdino E, et al. Ivermectin treatment of bancroftian filariasis in Recife, Brazil. American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 1994;50(3):339-48.
Dreyer 1994
  • Dreyer G, Pires ML, Andrade LD, Lopes E, Medeiros Z, Tenorio J, et al. Tolerance of diethylcarbamazine by microfilaraemic and amicrofilaraemic individuals in an endemic area of Bancroftian filariasis, Recife, Brazil. Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine Hygiene 1994;88(2):232-6.
Dreyer 1995
  • Dreyer G, Amaral F, Noroes J, Medeiros Z, Addiss D. A new tool to assess in vivo the adulticidal efficacy of antifilarial drugs for bancroftian filariasis. Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 1995;89(2):225-6.
Dreyer 1996
  • Dreyer G, Addiss D, Noroes J, Amaral F, Rocha A, Coutinho A. Ultrasonographic assessment of the adulticidal efficacy of repeat high-dose ivermectin in bancroftian filariasis. Tropical Medicine and International Health 1996;1(4):427-32.
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Eberhard 1989
  • Eberhard ML, Lammie PJ, Roberts JM, Lowrie RC Jr. Effectiveness of spaced doses of diethylcarbamazine citrate for the control of bancroftian filariasis. Tropical Medicine and Parasitology 1989;40(2):111-3.
FGN 1996
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Figueredo-Silva 1996
  • Figueredo-Silva J, Jungmann P, Noroes J, Piessens WF, Coutinho A, Brito C, et al. Histological evidence for adulticidal effect of low doses of diethylcarbamazine in bancroftian filariasis. Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 1996;90(2):192-4.
Geerts 2001
Gelband 1994
GlaxoSmithKline 2003
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Gyapong 2005
  • Gyapong JO, Kumaraswami V, Biswas G, Ottesen EA. Treatment strategies underpinning the global programme to eliminate lymphatic filariasis. Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy 2005;6(2):179-200.
Higgins 2005
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Horton 2000
Jüni 2001
Mahoney 1971
Meyrowitsch 1995
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Noroes 1997
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Ottesen 1997
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Ottesen 1999
Pichon 2002
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Simonsen 1995
  • Simonsen PE, Meyrowitsch DW, Makunde WH, Magnussen P. Selective diethylcarbamazine chemotherapy for control of Bancroftian filariasis in two communities of Tanzania: compared efficacy of a standard dose treatment and two semi-annual single dose treatments. American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 1995;53(3):267-72.
Simonsen 1997
  • Simonsen PE, Niemann L, Meyrowitsch DW. Wuchereria bancrofti in Tanzania: microfilarial periodicity and effect of blood sampling time on microfilarial intensities. Tropical Medicine and International Health 1997;2(2):153-8.
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Taylor 2001
Vanamail 1990
  • Vanamail P, Subramanian S, Das PK, Pani SP, Rajagopalan PK. Estimation of fecundic life span of Wuchereria bancrofti from longitudinal study of human infection in an endemic area of Pondicherry (south India). Indian Journal of Medical Research 1990;91:293-7.
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  • World Health Organization Office of Information. Lymphatic filariasis; WHO fact sheet no. 102. Geneva: World Health Organization, 1996.

References to other published versions of this review

  1. References to studies included in this review
  2. References to studies excluded from this review
  3. References to ongoing studies
  4. Additional references
  5. References to other published versions of this review
Critchley in press
  • Critchley J, Addiss D, Ejere H, Gamble C, Garner P, Gelband H. Albendazole for the control and elimination of lymphatic filariasis: systematic review. Tropical Medicine and International Health 2005;10(9):818-25.
    Direct Link:
IFRG 2004
  • International Filariasis Review Group (David Addiss, Julia Critchley, Henry Ejere, Paul Garner, Hellen Gelband, Carrol Gamble). Albendazole for lymphatic filariasis. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2004, Issue 1. [DOI: ]
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