CHEMOTHERAPY OF ONCHOCERCIASIS - A CONTROLLED CLINICAL-TRIAL OF TOPICAL DIETHYLCARBAMAZINE (DEC) IN GUATEMALA

Abstract

A double-masked, controlled clinical trial was conducted in Guatemala to assess the safety and efficacy of diethylcarbamazine (DEC) lotion as compared to placebo lotion in the treatment of onchocerciasis. A total of 187 people were enrolled in this study and were followed for 2 mo. Lotion was applied daily for 7 days, then weekly for 7 wk. The decrease in mean microfilarial counts/skin snip was significantly greater in those receiving DEC lotion than for those receiving placebo lotion. The proportionate reduction in microfilarial counts was similar for people with light, moderate or heavy microfilarial loads. Side effects were mainly related to skin changes, fever and malaise, and occurred in nearly 1/3 of the people receiving DEC lotion. These reactions occurred almost as commonly in those people who were lightly infected as in those who had moderate or heavy infections.