The chemotherapy of onchocerciasis. XV. Studies with albendazole.

Ninety-two males, infected with Onchocerca volvulus, from an area of on-going transmission in the forest zone of southern Ghana were treated with albendazole. 31 patients received 800 mg daily x 3, 31 received 1200 mg daily x 3 and 30 others received 800 mg daily x 7. Albendazole was given as a single daily dose with a fatty breakfast. Detailed systemic, ocular and laboratory examinations were performed pretreatment and at intervals over one year. Nodules were extirpated on days 30 and 60 and examined by histopathology. All the dose regimes were well tolerated but were neither microfilaricidal nor macrofilaricidal. The main effect was embryotoxicity affecting all intra-uterine stages. The most encouraging results were obtained in the 800 mg daily x 3 group in which a prolonged suppression of skin microfilarial counts occurred. Controlled studies in combination with ivermectin are recommended to determine whether an additive effect of the two drugs would result in permanent sterilisation of the adult worms.