Evaluation of regimens for mass-treatment of onchocerciasis by diethylcarbamazine (author's transl)

We tested three regimens to find the most effective, best tolerated and most practical therapeutic scheme for the mass treatment of onchocerciasis by diethylcarbamazine. The schemes with a short induction cure followed by a single dose of medication every two months were better than a long and only curative course of medication without maintenance doses. The schemes with induction cure and maintenance doses given every two months were more effective and practical than weekly maintenance doses with or without induction cures tried by other authors. The preferred treatment protocol is the following: an induction cure of ten days with a starter dose of 25 mg the first day, 50 mg the second, 100 mg the third, 200 mg for each of the remaining seven days. This induction procedure is extremely effective and is well maintained by a single dose of 200 mg every two months. After one year, the dermal microfilarial density was found to increase slightly. The study must be continued to determine whether a second course of induction therapy is necessary.