Practical and effective dose schedule of diethylcarbamazine (DEC) against bancroftian filariasis for mass therapy campaigns
Jain, D.C.; Sethumadhavan, K.V.; Babu, C.S.; Johney, V.M.; Ghosh, T.K.
Journal of Communicable Diseases 20(1): 61-69
1988
ISSN/ISBN: 0019-5138 PMID: 3068306 Document Number: 315333
To arrive at a more effective, acceptable and practicable diethylcarbamazine (DEC) dose schedule for mass treatment campaigns against Bancroftian filariasis, microfilaricidal effects of higher daily dose (9 mg/kg body weight daily) of DEC for different durations were tested and compared with the conventional 6 mg/kg body weight a day for twelve days. Microfilaricidal effects were found to be similar for the higher daily dosage schedules and standard dosage schedule. Reactions were more with higher daily dosage regimens. Drop outs in shorter duration courses were comparatively less. In all the study areas vector infection and infectivity were identical. Results suggested that DEC at a dose of 9 mg/kg body weight a day for 4 days may be a more convenient schedule in mass treatment campaigns.