STUDIES ON BANCROFTIAN FILARIASIS IN LIBERIA, WEST-AFRICA .3. EFFICACY OF REPEATED TREATMENT WITH DIETHYLCARBAMAZINE AND VECTOR CONTROL ON THE MICROFILARIAL RESERVOIR IN A RURAL-POPULATION

  • 1 January 1980
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 31  (2) , 181-193
Abstract
The population of 4 villages in the savanna area in Upper Lofa in the hinterland of Liberia was treated with diethylcarbamazine and the decline of the density of microfilariae of Wuchereria bancrofti was studied. It became obvious that even a repeated treatment with the drug did not result in a complete eradication of the parasites, but that about 1/3 of microfilaria carriers who had received 2 courses of treatment remained infected, showing ultra low densities which could only be discovered by employing the sensitive membrane filtration technique. Vector [Anopheles gambiae A. funestus] control by residual spraying with DDT carried out every 6 mo. for 2 1/2 yr in 2 villages did not result in a decrease of the microfilaria carrier rates. The microfilarial density of infected persons declined distinctly during the 3 yr of control. Experiences made with the membrane filtration technique under field conditions are described.