Uptake of diethylcarbamazine by microfilariae and adults of Litomosoides carinii and Dipetalonema viteae.

Microfilariae of Litomosoides carinii and Dipetalonema viteae absorbed about ten times as much diethylcarbamazine (DEC) as did their adults, but bound much less. The higher uptake of DEC by the microfilariae might be related to the fact that DEC is microfilaricidal. Binding of DEC with the parasites supports the view that the microfilaricidal action begins with the fixation of the drug to the microfilariae.