Assessment of the efficacy and safety of two albendazole regimens for the treatment of hypermicrofilaraemic loiasis in adults in Woleu-Ntem Province, Gabon: A phase IIb single-blind randomised controlled trial.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Loa (L.) loa hypermicrofilaraemia (≥ 8,000 mf/mL) increases the risk of severe adverse events during mass ivermectin administration for onchocerciasis control. Albendazole has been proposed as a potential alternative for reducing microfilaraemia prior to ivermectin administration.

Methodology and principal findings

This prospective study was conducted in northern Gabon from November 2021 to April 2022. Individuals infected with L. loa were screened and allocated to three groups: two treatment arms receiving 400 mg or 800 mg of albendazole daily for 30 days among hypermicrofilaraemic participants, and a group with microfilaraemia < 8,000 mf/mL. Clinical symptoms and parasitological data were collected on Days 0, 2, 7, 14, and 30. A total of 70 participants were enr

SUBMITTER: M'Bondoukwe NP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12818738 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature