Occurrence of microfilariae in various hollow organs and in the peritoneal cavity after treatment of Litomosoides carinii infected Mastomys natalensis with diethylcarbamazine and haloxon.

Treatment of Litomosoides carinii infected Mastomys natalensis with diethylcarbamazine (DEC: 500 mg/kg p.o.) was followed by increased occurrence of microfilariae in the bronchi of the host after 40 min and lasting at least until 6 h after treatment. After 4 h, increased levels of larvae were observed in the gut. Only a few microfilariae occurred in the bladder and sputum. Accumulations of microfilariae were found furthermore in the Lnn. hepaticae whereas no changes were observed in the inguinal or jejunal and lung and pleura associated lymph nodes. Increased numbers of microfilariae were found in the peritoneal cavity only after 8 and continuing until at least 48 h after treatment. In contrast, after haloxon treatment (100 mg/kg p.o.) an accumulation of microfilariae was found in the peritoneal cavity only, following a time course similar to that after DEC.