Combined low dosage and short term standard dose treatment with diethylcarbamazine to control Timorian filariasis.

A combined weekly low dosage and short term standard dose treatment with diethylcarbamazine (DEC) to control Timorian filariasis is described. Weekly low dosage DEC was distributed by the village chief to all villagers for 6 months. The dosage of DEC was 50 mg weekly for group A, and 100 mg for group B. Children below 10 years of age received half the adult dose. Following the initial phase of low dosage treatment, 5 mg DEC/kg was distributed by one of us to all villagers for 6 consecutive days. The results of treatment were evaluated approximately one year later. There was no difference between the results of treatment with 50 mg DEC weekly compared to the 100 mg dosage. The microfilaria, adenolymphangitis and lymphoedema rates decreased drastically in both groups, similar to the results of our previous studies. Side reactions during low dosage and standard dose treatment of DEC were characteristically mild.