Filariasis medical therapy

Filariasis Microchapters
Home
Patient Information
Overview
Historical Perspective
Classification
Pathophysiology
Causes
Differentiating Filariasis from other Diseases
Epidemiology and Demographics
Risk Factors
Screening
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
Diagnosis
History and Symptoms
Physical Examination
Laboratory Findings
X Ray
CT Scan
MRI
Ultrasound
Other Imaging Findings
Other Diagnostic Studies
Treatment
Medical Therapy
Surgery
Primary Prevention
Secondary Prevention
Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy
Future or Investigational Therapies
Case Studies
Case #1
Filariasis medical therapy On the Web
Most recent articles
Most cited articles
Review articles
CME Programs
slides
Images
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Filariasis medical therapy All Images X-rays Echo & Ultrasound CT Images MRI
Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse
NICE Guidance
FDA on Filariasis medical therapy
on Filariasis medical therapy
Filariasis medical therapy in the news
Blogs on Filariasis medical therapy
Directions to Hospitals Treating Filariasis
Risk calculators and risk factors for Filariasis medical therapy

Please help WikiDoc by adding more content here. It's easy! Click here to learn about editing.

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Overview

The recommended treatment for patients outside the United States is albendazole (a broad spectrum anthelmintic) combined with ivermectin. A combination of diethylcarbamazine (DEC) and albendazole is also effective. All of these treatments are microfilaricides; they have no effect on the adult worms.

Medical Therapy

Different drugs are recommended for the treatment of filariasis depending on the specific causal agent.

Lymphatic Filariasis

Shown below is a table summarizing the preferred and alternative empiric treatment for Lymphatic filariasis.

Characteristics of the Patient	Possible Pathogens	Preferred Treatment	Duration of Treatment
adults and children > 18 months of age	Wuchereria bancrofti OR Brugia malayi	Diethylcarbamazine Citrate (6mg/kg/day)	Either a 1 day or 12 day treatment course

Onchocerciasis

Shown below is a table summarizing the preferred and alternative empiric treatment for Onchocerciasis

Characteristics of the Patient	Possible Pathogens	Preferred Treatment	Duration of Treatment	Alternative Treatment
Adult	Onchocerca volvulus (microfilariae)	Ivermectin 150 mcg/kg orally in one dose	Every 6 months	Doxycycline 200 mg orally daily for 6 weeks
Pediatric	Onchocerca volvulus (microfilariae)	Ivermectin 150 mcg/kg orally in one dose	Every 6 months	Doxycycline 200 mg orally daily for 6 weeks

Loa Loa Filariasis

Shown below is a table summarizing the preferred treatment for Loa loa filariasis

Characteristics of the Patient	Possible Pathogens	Preferred Treatment	Duration of Treatment
Symptomatic loiasis with MF/mL <8,000	Loa loa	Diethylcarbamazine (DEC) 8–10 mg/kg orally in 3 divided doses daily	For 21 days
Symptomatic loiasis, with MF/mL <8,000 and failed 2 rounds DEC OR Symptomatic loiasis, with MF/ml ≥8,000 to reduce level to <8,000 prior to treatment with DEC	Loa loa	Albendazole 200 mg orally twice daily	For 21 days
Symptomatic loiasis, with MF/mL ≥8,000	Apheresis* followed by DEC	N/A	N/A

(*)Apharesis should be performed at an institution with experience in using this therapeutic modality for loiasis.

References

Template:WikiDoc Sources