Macrofilaricidal activity of albendazole-ivermectin combination: histopathological evaluation of adult Molinema dessetae.

The macrofilaricidal effect of albendazole in association with ivermectin was assessed in the rodent Proechimys oris, infected with Molinema dessetae. The drug combination was given to five rodents 190 days after infection. A similar group was used as control. The doses administered were 10 mg per kg for albendazole and 0.04 mg per kg for ivermectin over five days. The histological examination of intra-peritoneal nodules done six weeks after therapy revealed a clear-cut macrofilaricidal effect. The number of dead worms was significantly higher in the treated group. The histological examination revealed a lesion pattern that was related to the drug exposure. This consisted of nodules, each containing a necrotic worm that had its morphology preserved and was surrounded by a foreign body granuloma. This lesion was only seen in the treated group. A pattern related with the spontaneous death of worms was also observed. The results obtained here show the importance that albendazole-ivermectin combination could have in human filariasis therapy. Further studies in man should be done to confirm the macrofilaricidal effect of this drug combination in human filariasis.