Comparison of different drug regimens for the treatment of loiasis—A TropNet retrospective study

Abstract

BackgroundLoa loa infection is endemic in limited areas of West-Central Africa. Loiasis has been associated with excess mortality, but clinical studies on its treatment are scant, particularly outside endemic areas, due to the rarity of cases diagnosed.Methodology/Principal findingsWith this retrospective TropNet (European Network for Tropical Medicine and Travel Health) study, we aimed at outlining the treatment schedules followed by different reference centers for tropical medicine across Europe. We gathered information about 238 cases of loiasis, 165 of which had follow up data. The regimens followed by the different centers were heterogeneous. The drugs most frequently administered were: diethylcarbamazine alone (74/165, 45.1%), ivermectin alone (41/165, 25%), albendazole + ivermectin (21/164, 11.6%), ivermectin + diethylcarbamazine (16/165, 9.7%).Conclusions/SignificanceThe management of loiasis substantially differs across specialized travel clinics in Europe. These discrepancies could be due to different local protocols as well as to (un)availability of the drugs. An harmonization of clinical protocols for the treatment of loiasis would be suggested across reference centers for tropical medicine in Europe.

Colorimetric and Real-Time Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) for Detection of Loa loa DNA in Human Blood Samples

“…However, patients are usually asymptomatic or present nonspecific manifestations. Rarely, loiasis can cause damage in other organs [3]; although, a high Loa loa microfilaremia has been recently associated with an increased mortality risk [4]. Despite this, loiasis has been largely neglected as a public health problem in Africa and, even to date, the disease does not appear on the World Health Organization's (WHO) list of neglected tropical diseases (NTD) [2].…”

Corallopyronin A: antimicrobial discovery to preclinical development

“…Therefore, the triple therapy is only recommended for regions not co-endemic for onchocerciasis and loiasis. [26][27][28][29] In addition, the aforementioned therapies only temporally inhibit larial embryogenesis and lead to the clearance of microlariae, rst stage larvae found in the blood or skin, and they lack a macrolaricidal effect, i.e., killing the adult worms which can live for 5-15 years, continuously producing microlariae. [30][31][32] Novel modes of action and new drugs that provide a macro-laricidal effect are, therefore, needed.…”

The impact of Loa loa microfilaraemia on research subject retention during a whole sporozoite malaria vaccine trial in Equatorial Guinea

“…This is consistent with other reports. 25 , 26 Typically, all patients had eosinophilia, which resolved in most cases with anti-filarial treatment. 26 , 27 Although treatment with DEC has been associated with adverse reactions such as pruritus, Calabar swelling, dizziness, headache, arthralgias, fever and even encephalopathy, 8 , 9 , 25 , 27 , 28 it was well tolerated in our patients.…”