Activity of albendazole-ivermectin combination and other filaricidal drugs against infective larvae, preadult, microfilariae and adult worms of Molinema dessetae in the rodent Proechimys oris.

The efficacy of albendazole-ivermectin combination was tested an adult and developing stages of Molinema dessetae in the rodent Proechimys oris. Albendazole and ivermectin, both given alone, suramin and diethylcarbamazine were used as reference compounds. The drug combination (albendazole at 10 mg/kg/ day x 5 days and Ivermectin at 0.04 mg/kg/day x 5 days) was effective against infective larvae and preadult worms, and substantially reduced the number of live adult worms. The known filaricidal agents, diethylcarbamazine (400 mg/kg twice daily x 5 days), ivermectin (0.2 mg/kg/day x 5 days), and suramin (40 mg/kg/day x 5 days), as well as albendazole (50 mg/kg/day x 5 days) were active on infective larvae, preadult worms, microfilariae and adult worms. All drugs had the same level of efficacity on infective larvae. Albendazole had the highest efficacy against adult and preadult worms and diethylcarbamazine was the most active on microfilariae. Although the drug combination was not as effective against preadult and adult worms as albendazole alone, the results indicate that albendazole-ivermectin combination at a low dose had prophylactic effect and suggest a possible macrofilaricidal activity.