Clinical and laboratory changes consequent to diethylcarbamazine in patients with onchocerciasis
Fazen, L.E.; Anderson, R.I.; Fazen, L.E.; Marroquin, H.F.
American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 25(2): 250-256
1976
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-9637 PMID: 1259086 Document Number: 97174
Onchocerca volvulus microfilariae were found in the urine, blood and sputum of volunteers in Guatemala with increased frequency from 8 to 24 hours after treatment with a single 50 mg oral dose of diethylcarbamazine citrate. The intensity of infection in the population was very light. There was a consistent decline in number of microfilariae in the skin for 24 hours after treatment; pre-treatment levels were gained after 48 hours. 2 of 4 people with persistently negative skin snips had microfilariae in the urine, blood or sputum only after administration of the drug. Active microfilariae were observed in the anterior chamber of one or both eyes of 3 of the 13 treated. Intramuscular injections of methylprednisolone or diphenhydramine reduced side effects without changing the laboratory findings.