Single Oral Dose Of Ivermectin Research Articles

Comparison of Efficacy of Single Application Topical 5% Permethrin versus Single Dose Oral Ivermectin in the Treatment of Scabies

Aim: To compare the efficacy of a single application of topical 5% permethrin versus a single dose of oral ivermectin in the treatment of scabies. Methodology: Randomized controlled trial. Department of Dermatology, Pak Emirates Military Hospital (PEMH), Rawalpindi, from January 1, 2021, to June 30, 2021. Sixty scabies patients of both genders were included. 30 patients for 5% permethrin cream (group A), and 30 patients for the oral ivermectin group (group B). Follow-up with patients was done at weeks 1 and 2 after treatment. Age in this study was > 5 years. Results: The mean of age was 27.700±8.43 years, duration of disease was 5.133±1.71 weeks, and weight was 71.366±11.31 kg in Group A, while in Group B, age was 30.366±9.37 years, duration of disease was 4.700±1.55 weeks, and weight was 73.433±10.82 kg. Efficacy was observed in 22 (73.3%) patients in group A and 21 (70%) patients in group B (P = 0.775). Conclusion: There is no significant efficacy difference between topical permethrin and oral ivermectin in treatment of scabies. Keywords: Efficacy, Permethrin, Ivermectin, Scabies

Efficacy and safety of single-dose ivermectin in mild-to-moderate COVID-19: the double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled CORVETTE-01 trial.

To investigate whether ivermectin inhibits SARS-CoV-2 proliferation in patients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 using time to a negative COVID-19 reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test. CORVETTE-01 was a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study (August 2020-October 2021) conducted in Japan. Overall, 248 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 using RT-PCR were assessed for eligibility. A single oral dose of ivermectin (200 μg/kg) or placebo was administered under fasting. The primary outcome was time to a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test result for SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid, assessed using stratified log-rank test and Cox regression models. Overall, 112 and 109 patients were randomized to ivermectin and placebo, respectively; 106 patients from each group were included in the full analysis set (male [%], mean age: 68.9%, 47.9 years [ivermectin]; 62.3%, 47.5 years [placebo]). No significant difference was observed in the occurrence of negative RT-PCR tests between the groups (hazard ratio, 0.96; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.70-1.32; p = 0.785). Median (95% CI) time to a negative RT-PCR test was 14.0 (13.0-16.0) and 14.0 (12.0-16.0) days for ivermectin and placebo, respectively; 82.1% and 84% of patients achieved negative RT-PCR tests, respectively. In patients with COVID-19, single-dose ivermectin was ineffective in decreasing the time to a negative RT-PCR test. ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04703205.

A randomized, open-label study of the tolerability and efficacy of one or three daily doses of ivermectin plus diethylcarbamazine and albendazole (IDA) versus one dose of ivermectin plus albendazole (IA) for treatment of onchocerciasis.

Onchocerciasis ("river blindness") has been targeted for elimination. New treatments that kill or permanently sterilize female worms could accelerate this process. Prior studies have shown that triple drug treatment with ivermectin plus diethylcarbamazine and albendazole (IDA) leads to prolonged clearance of microfilaremia in persons with lymphatic filariasis. We now report results from a randomized clinical trial that compared the tolerability and efficacy of IDA vs. a comparator treatment (ivermectin plus albendazole, IA) in persons with onchocerciasis. The study was performed in the Volta region of Ghana. Persons with microfiladermia and palpable subcutaneous nodules were pre-treated with two oral doses of ivermectin (150 μg/kg) separated by at least 6 months prior to treatment with either a single oral dose of ivermectin 150 μg/kg plus albendazole 400 mg (IA), a single oral dose of IDA (IDA1, IA plus diethylcarbamazine (DEC. 6 mg/kg) or three consecutive daily doses of IDA (IDA3). These treatments were tolerated equally well. While adverse events were common (approximately 30% overall), no severe or serious treatment-emergent adverse events were observed. Skin microfilariae were absent or present with very low densities after all three treatments through 18 months, at which time nodules were excised for histological assessment. Nodule histology was evaluated by two independent assessors who were masked regarding participant infection status or treatment assignment. Significantly lower percentages of female worms were alive and fertile in nodules recovered from study participants after IDA1 (40/261, 15.3%) and IDA3 (34/281, 12.1%) than after IA (41/180, 22.8%). This corresponds to a 40% reduction in the percentage of female worms that were alive and fertile after IDA treatments relative to results observed after the IA comparator treatment (P = 0.004). Percentages of female worms that were alive (a secondary outcome of the study) were also lower after IDA treatments (301/574, 52.4%) than after IA (127/198, 64.1%) (P = 0.004). Importantly, some comparisons (including the reduced % of fertile female worms after IDA1 vs IA treatment, which was the primary endpoint for the study) were not statistically significant when results were adjusted for intraclass correlation of worm fertility and viability for worms recovered from individual study participants. Results from this pilot study suggest that IDA was well tolerated after ivermectin pretreatment. They also suggest that IDA was more effective than the comparator treatment IA for killing or sterilizing female O. volvulus worms. No other short-course oral treatment for onchocerciasis has been demonstrated to have macrofilaricidal activity. However, this first study was too small to provide conclusive results. Therefore, additional studies will be needed to confirm these promising findings. The study is registered at Cinicaltrials.gov under the number NCT04188301.

Comparison of Topical Ivermectin and Oral Ivermectin in the Treatment of Human Scabies: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective: To compare the topical and oral ivermectin (IVM) in the management of scabies. Materials and Methods: An open-labeled parallel randomized trial was conducted among patients of scabies. Group A (n = 51) received two applications of 0.5% topical IVM cream 1 week apart, while Groups B (n = 50) received single dose of oral IVM (200 µg/kg body weight. The scabies severity and pruritus severity on the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) were compared at baseline and at the end of the 1st, 2nd, and 4th weeks. Mann–Whitney U-test and Wilcoxon Signed-Rank test were used for statistical analysis. Results: Significant improvement in scabies severity was seen at the 1st and 2nd follow-up in both groups (P 0.05). Adverse events were reported nine and 12 times in Groups A and B, respectively. Conclusion: Two applications of 0.5% topical IVM cream and single dose of oral IVM are equally efficacious and safe for the treatment of scabies at the end of the 2nd and 4th weeks.

Safety and efficacy of co-administered diethylcarbamazine, albendazole and ivermectin during mass drug administration for lymphatic filariasis in Haiti: Results from a two-armed, open-label, cluster-randomized, community study.

In Haiti, 22 communes still require mass drug administration (MDA) to eliminate lymphatic filariasis (LF) as a public health problem. Several clinical trials have shown that a single oral dose of ivermectin (IVM), diethylcarbamazine (DEC) and albendazole (ALB) (IDA) is more effective than DEC plus ALB (DA) for clearing Wuchereria bancrofti microfilariae (Mf). We performed a cluster-randomized community study to compare the safety and efficacy of IDA and DA in an LF-endemic area in northern Haiti. Ten localities were randomized to receive either DA or IDA. Participants were monitored for adverse events (AE), parasite antigenemia, and microfilaremia. Antigen-positive participants were retested one year after MDA to assess treatment efficacy. Fewer participants (11.0%, 321/2917) experienced at least one AE after IDA compared to DA (17.3%, 491/2844, P<0.001). Most AEs were mild, and the three most common AEs reported were headaches, dizziness and abdominal pain. Serious AEs developed in three participants who received DA. Baseline prevalence for filarial antigenemia was 8.0% (239/3004) in IDA localities and 11.5% (344/2994) in DA localities (<0.001). Of those with positive antigenemia, 17.6% (42/239) in IDA localities and 20.9% (72/344, P = 0.25) in DA localities were microfilaremic. One year after treatment, 84% percent of persons with positive filarial antigen tests at baseline could be retested. Clearance rates for filarial antigenemia were 20.5% (41/200) after IDA versus 25.4% (74/289) after DA (P = 0.3). However, 94.4% (34/36) of IDA recipients and 75.9% (44/58) of DA recipients with baseline microfilaremia were Mf negative at the time of retest (P = 0.02). Thus, MDA with IDA was at least as well tolerated and significantly more effective for clearing Mf compared to the standard DA regimen in this study. Effective MDA coverage with IDA could accelerate the elimination of LF as a public health problem in the 22 communes that still require MDA in Haiti.

Prospective, randomized, and comparative study of efficacy of ivermectin, benzyl benzoate 25%, permethrin 5% and gamma benzene hexachloride 1% in the treatment of uncomplicated scabies

Background: Scabies is an infectious and contagious human skin disease. The aim of the study was to study the efficacy and safety of four different treatment modalities in clinically diagnosed cases of scabies of single dose of oral ivermectin and commonly used topical scabicidal agent’s benzyl benzoate 25% (BB), permethrin 5% and gamma benzene hexachloride 1% (GBHC).Methods: This study was carried out in the Department of Dermatology, Andhra Medical College, Visakhapatnam. 200 patients diagnosed of scabies were included in the study during the period from August 2013 to July 2014. The percentage of improvement was compared between four groups. Intergroup comparison between two groups was done Chi square test.Results: In the present study a greater number of patients were students (54.5%). Subsidence of lesion and itching with oral ivermectin given as a single dose (200 μg/kg body weight) was 45 (90%) and 44 (88%), with topical permethrin 5% lotion single application 48 (96%), 47 (94%), with topical GBHC 1% lotion 40 (80%) patients, 38 (76%). Topical application of BB lotion 25% was 38 (76%), and 36 (72%) at fourth week.Conclusions: In the present study permethrin 5% cream was found to be more effective among topical agents. Both BB and GBHC 1% lotion are being inexpensive and they can be used as an alternative treatment in developing country like India.

Single Oral Dose of Ivermectin as a New Therapeutic Trial for Contacts of Patients with Scabies

Background: Scabies is one of the common epidemic and endemic diseases worldwide. Many topical therapeutic modalities for scabies are available. Topical ivermectin has been used effectively in treatment of scabies but there is no oral effective therapy that prevents contacts to get scabies. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of oral ivermectin in prevention of scabies contacts to get scabies. Patients and Methods: The study is a single-blinded therapeutic study that was conducted in the Center of Dermatology, Baghdad Teaching Hospital, Baghdad, Iraq during the period from April 2018 through October 2019.Two hundred sixty healthy scabies contacts were included in this study, their ages ranged from 5-60 years with a mean ± SD of 19.3± 1.9 years. All these contacts were screened for active scabies and they were all free. The contacts of scabies were treated by ivermectin tablet 200 microgram per kg as a single dose after 2 hours from dinner. They were seen regularly after 4 weeks to be re-examined and to record any scabies and drug side effects. Results: The response after four weeks of single dose therapy of healthy contacts showed that 245 (94%) from 260 were free of scabies and only 15(6%) contacts showed infection with scabies and this was statistically significant Chi-square (c2= 148, P-value less than 0.00000001. No any side effects were noticed in any treated contacts. Conclusion: Oral single ivermectin dose is an effective therapy to prevent scabies contacts to get infection. It an easy method of prevention which is very useful in condition of scabies outbreaks and epidemics to stop the rapid spread of the disease.

The effect of ivermectin\xae on fertility, fecundity and mortality of Anopheles arabiensis fed on treated men in Ethiopia

BackgroundInsecticide resistance is a growing threat to malaria vector control. Ivermectin, either administered to humans or animals, may represent an alternate strategy to reduce resistant mosquito populations. The aim of this study was to assess the residual or delayed effect of administering a single oral dose of ivermectin to humans on the survival, fecundity and fertility of Anopheles arabiensis in Ethiopia.MethodsSix male volunteers aged 25–40 years (weight range 64–72 kg) were recruited; four of them received a recommended single oral dose of 12 mg ivermectin and the other two individuals were untreated controls. A fully susceptible insectary colony of An. arabiensis was fed on treated and control participants at 1, 4, 7, 10 and 13 days post ivermectin-administration. Daily mosquito mortality was recorded for 5 days. An. arabiensis fecundity and fertility were measured from day 7 post treatment, by dissection to examine the number of eggs per mosquito, and by observing larval hatching rates, respectively.ResultsIvermectin treatment induced significantly higher An. arabiensis mortality on days 1 and 4, compared to untreated controls (p = 0.02 and p < 0.001, respectively). However, this effect had declined by day 7, with no significant difference in mortality between treated and control groups (p = 0.06). The mean survival time of mosquitoes fed on day 1 was 2.1 days, while those fed on day 4 survived 4.0 days. Mosquitoes fed on the treatment group at day 7 and 10 produced significantly lower numbers of eggs compared to the untreated controls (p < 0.001 and p = 0.04, respectively). An. arabiensis fed on day 7 on treated men also had lower larval hatching rates than mosquitoes fed on days 10 and 13 (p = 0.003 and p = 0.001, respectively).ConclusionA single oral dose of ivermectin given to humans can induce mortality and reduce survivorship of An. arabiensis for 7 days after treatment. Ivermectin also had a delayed effect on fecundity of An. arabiensis that took bloodmeals from treated individuals on day 7 and 10. Additional studies are warranted using wild, insecticide-resistant mosquito populations, to confirm findings and a phase III evaluation among community members in Ethiopia is needed to determine the impact of ivermectin on malaria transmission.

The Benefit of a Single Oral Dose of Ivermectin in Humans: The Adverse Effects on Cimex lectularius L. Populations and Fecundity.

ObjectiveTo measure the population size and fecundity of the common bed bug Cimex lectularius L. (C. lectularius) after feeding it with the blood obtained from human subjects who have consumed a single dose of ivermectin.Methods Serial blood samples were obtained from two human subjects at hour 0 (control) and 4-96 hours after they received a single 0.2 mg/kg dose of ivermectin. The blood samples were then fed to 2,273 bed bugs. Bed bug incapacitation rates, fecundity, and population sizes were recorded over a 54-day period. Whole blood ivermectin levels were measured in the human subjects and the insects.Results The fold change in the size of the control group population over the course of the experiment was found to be 2.16. This was significantly greater (p: <.001) than for all the post-ivermectin feeding groups (range: -11.04-1.43). Two weeks after the experiment, the number of eggs laid per live adult female bed bug per day was 10.74 for controls, which was significantly different (p: <0.001) compared to all the post-ivermectin feeding groups (range: 0-4.28).Conclusions There were significant reductions in C. lectularius population size and fecundity in insects that fed on blood obtained from human study subjects up to 96 hours after they have consumed a single oral dose of ivermectin.

The effect of food on the pharmacokinetics of oral ivermectin.

Ivermectin is an older anthelminthic agent that is being studied more intensely given its potential for mass drug administration against scabies, malaria and other neglected tropical diseases. Its pharmacokinetics (PK) remain poorly characterized. Furthermore, the majority of PK trials are performed under fasted-state dosing conditions, and the effect of food is therefore not well known. To better plan and design field trials with ivermectin, a model that can account for both conditions would be valuable. To develop a PK model and characterize the food effect with single oral doses of ivermectin. We performed a population-based PK analysis of data pooled from two previous trials of a single dose of 12 mg ivermectin, one with dosing after a high-fat breakfast (n=12) and one with fasted-state dosing (n=3). The final model described concentration-time profiles after fed and fasted dosing accurately, and estimated the food effect associated with relative bioavailability to 1.18 (95% CI 1.10-1.67). In this analysis, the effect of a high-fat breakfast compared with a fasted-state administration of a single oral dose of 12 mg ivermectin was minimal.

Efficacy and risk of harms of repeat ivermectin mass drug administrations for control of malaria (RIMDAMAL): a cluster-randomised trial

SummaryBackgroundIvermectin is widely used in mass drug administrations for controlling neglected parasitic diseases, and can be lethal to malaria vectors that bite treated humans. Therefore, it could be a new tool to reduce plasmodium transmission. We tested the hypothesis that frequently repeated mass administrations of ivermectin to village residents would reduce clinical malaria episodes in children and would be well tolerated with minimal harms.MethodsWe invited villages (clusters) in Burkina Faso to participate in a single-blind (outcomes assessor), parallel-assignment, two-arm, cluster-randomised trial over the 2015 rainy season. Villages were assigned (1:1) by random draw to either the intervention group or the control group. In both groups, all eligible participants who consented to the treatment and were at least 90 cm in height received single oral doses of ivermectin (150–200 μg/kg) and albendazole (400 mg), and those in the intervention group received five further doses of ivermectin alone at 3-week intervals thereafter over the 18-week treatment phase. The primary outcome was cumulative incidence of uncomplicated malaria episodes over 18 weeks (analysed on a cluster intention-to-treat basis) in an active case detection cohort of children aged 5 years or younger living in the study villages. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02509481.FindingsEight villages agreed to participate, and four were randomly assigned to each group. 2712 participants (1333 [49%] males and 1379 [51%] females; median age 15 years [IQR 6–34]), including 590 children aged 5 years or younger, provided consent and were enrolled between May 22 and July 20, 2015 (except for 77 participants enrolled after these dates because of unavailability before the first mass drug administration, travel into the village during the trial, or birth), with 1447 enrolled into the intervention group and 1265 into the control group. 330 (23%) participants in the intervention group and 233 (18%) in the control group met the exclusion criteria for mass drug administration. Most children in the active case detection cohort were not treated because of height restrictions. 14 (4%) children in the intervention group and 10 (4%) in the control group were lost to follow-up. Cumulative malaria incidence was reduced in the intervention group (648 episodes among 327 children; estimated mean 2·00 episodes per child) compared with the control group (647 episodes among 263 children; 2·49 episodes per child; risk difference −0·49 [95% CI −0·79 to −0·21], p=0·0009, adjusted for sex and clustering). The risk of adverse events among all participants did not differ between groups (45 events [3%] among 1447 participants in the intervention group vs 24 events [2%] among 1265 in the control group; risk ratio 1·63 [1·01 to 2·67]; risk difference 1·21 [0·04 to 2·38], p=0·060), and no adverse reactions were reported.InterpretationFrequently repeated mass administrations of ivermectin during the malaria transmission season can reduce malaria episodes among children without significantly increasing harms in the populace.FundingBill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Strongyloides stercoralis larvae in the urine of a patient with transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder: a case report.

Disseminated infection with Strongyloides stercoralis refers to the massive migration of infective larvae from the gastrointestinal tract to other organs that are not involved in the normal life cycle of the parasite. We describe the case of a Nigerian male with transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder in whom larvae of S. stercoralis was identified in the urine. This report involves a 60-year old male Nigerian presenting to the Urology clinic of the Jos University teaching hospital, Nigeria with disseminated S. stercoralis. The index patient presented with a 5month history of total haematuria, urinary frequency, urgency, nocturia, straining to pass urine, feeling of incomplete voiding and terminal dribbling. He also had episodes of suprapubic pain. Physical examination revealed a cachexic patient who had mild suprapubic tenderness. Urinary examination showed numerous red blood cells and rhabditiform larvae of S. stercoralis. Abdominal ultrasound revealed a heterogeneous mass in the urinary bladder measuring 4.0 × 3.3cm. Abdominal computed tomography also showed an irregular mass measuring 4.2 × 3.8cm with HU of 41 projecting into the bladder from the posterior wall towards the dome. Histology of the biopsy specimen revealed transitional cell carcinoma. The patient was treated with a single dose of oral ivermectin but died 1 week later. Physicians working in areas that are endemic for S. stercoralis should consider investigating immunocompromised patients for S. stercoralis infection given the poor prognosis of disseminated infection in this group of patients.

Promising approach to reducing Malaria transmission by ivermectin: Sporontocidal effect against Plasmodium vivax in the South American vectors Anopheles aquasalis and Anopheles darlingi.

BackgroundThe mosquito resistance to the insecticides threatens malaria control efforts, potentially becoming a major public health issue. Alternative methods like ivermectin (IVM) administration to humans has been suggested as a possible vector control to reduce Plasmodium transmission. Anopheles aquasalis and Anopheles darlingi are competent vectors for Plasmodium vivax, and they have been responsible for various malaria outbreaks in the coast of Brazil and the Amazon Region of South America.MethodsTo determine the IVM susceptibility against P. vivax in An. aquasalis and An. darlingi, ivermectin were mixed in P. vivax infected blood: (1) Powdered IVM at four concentrations (0, 5, 10, 20 or 40 ng/mL). (2) Plasma (0 hours, 4 hours, 1 day, 5, 10 and 14 days) was collected from healthy volunteers after to administer a single oral dose of IVM (200 μg/kg) (3) Mosquitoes infected with P. vivax and after 4 days was provided with IVM plasma collected 4 hours post-treatment (4) P. vivax-infected patients were treated with various combinations of IVM, chloroquine, and primaquine and plasma or whole blood was collected at 4 hours. Seven days after the infective blood meal, mosquitoes were dissected to evaluate oocyst presence. Additionally, the ex vivo effects of IVM against asexual blood-stage P. vivax was evaluated.ResultsIVM significantly reduced the prevalence of An. aquasalis that developed oocysts in 10 to 40 ng/mL pIVM concentrations and plasma 4 hours, 1 day and 5 days. In An. darlingi to 4 hours and 1 day. The An. aquasalis mortality was expressively increased in pIVM (40ng/mL) and plasma 4 hours, 1, 5 10 and 14 days post-intake drug and in An. darlingi only to 4 hours and 1 day. The double fed meal with mIVM by the mosquitoes has a considerable impact on the proportion of infected mosquitoes for 7 days post-feeding. The oocyst infection prevalence and intensity were notably reduced when mosquitoes ingested blood from P. vivax patients that ingested IVM+CQ, PQ+CQ and IVM+PQ+CQ. P. vivax asexual development was considerably inhibited by mIVM at four-fold dilutions.ConclusionIn conclusion, whole blood spiked with IVM reduced the infection rate of P. vivax in An. aquasalis and An. darlingi, and increased the mortality of mosquitoes. Plasma from healthy volunteers after IVM administration affect asexual P. vivax development. These findings support that ivermectin may be used to decrease P. vivax transmission.

Strongyloides stercoralis is associated with significant morbidity in rural Cambodia, including stunting in children.

BackgroundStrongyloides stercoralis is a soil-transmitted nematode that can replicate within its host, leading to long-lasting and potentially fatal infections. It is ubiquitous and highly prevalent in Cambodia. The extent of morbidity associated with S. stercoralis infection is difficult to assess due to the broad spectrum of symptoms and, thus, remains uncertain.Methodology/Principal findingsClinical signs were compared among S. stercoralis infected vs. non-infected participants in a cross-sectional survey conducted in 2012 in eight villages of Northern Cambodia, and before and after treatment with a single oral dose of ivermectin (200μg/kg BW) among participants harboring S. stercoralis. Growth retardation among schoolchildren and adolescents was assessed using height-for-age and thinness using body mass index-for-age. S. stercoralis prevalence was 31.1% among 2,744 participants. Urticaria (55% vs. 47%, OR: 1.4, 95% CI: 1.1–1.6) and itching (52% vs. 48%, OR: 1.2, 95% CI: 1.0–1.4) were more frequently reported by infected participants. Gastrointestinal, dermatological, and respiratory symptoms were less prevalent in 103 mono-infected participants after treatment. Urticaria (66% vs. 11%, OR: 0.03, 95% CI: 0.01–0.1) and abdominal pain (81 vs. 27%, OR: 0.07, 95% CI: 0.02–0.2) mostly resolved by treatment. S. stercoralis infection was associated with stunting, with 2.5-fold higher odds in case of heavy infection.Conclusions/SignificanceThe morbidity associated with S. stercoralis confirmed the importance of gastrointestinal and dermatological symptoms unrelated to parasite load, and long-term chronic effects when associated with malnutrition. The combination of high prevalence and morbidity calls for the integration of S. stercoralis into ongoing STH control measures in Cambodia.

StrongNet: An International Network to Improve Diagnostics and Access to Treatment for Strongyloidiasis Control.

Strongyloidiasis is a disease caused by an infection with a soil-transmitted helminth that affects, according to largely varying estimates, between 30 million and 370 million people worldwide [1,2]. Not officially listed as a neglected tropical disease (NTD), strongyloidiasis stands out as particularly overlooked [3]. Indeed, there is a paucity of research and public health efforts pertaining to strongyloidiasis. Hence, clinical, diagnostic, epidemiologic, treatment, and control aspects are not adequately addressed to allow for an effective management of the disease, both in clinical medicine and in public health programs [4]. The manifold signs and symptoms caused by Strongyloides stercoralis infection, coupled with the helminth’s unique potential to cause lifelong, persistent infection, make strongyloidiasis relevant beyond tropical and subtropical geographic regions, where, however, most of the disease burden is concentrated. Indeed, strongyloidiasis is acquired through contact with contaminated soil, and the infection is, thus, primarily transmitted in areas with poor sanitation, inadequate access to clean water, and lack of hygiene. While the actual morbidity of chronically infected, immunocompetent individuals is subtle and difficult to appreciate [5], the particular importance of this parasitic worm is linked to its potential for maintaining lifelong autoinfections and causing a life-threatening hyperinfection syndrome in immunocompromised individuals [6]. Lack of point-of-care (POC) diagnostics and poor availability of, and access to, ivermectin (the current treatment of choice) are the two most significant bottlenecks that hinder effective management of the disease both in clinical and in public health settings. Examples of the management and importance of strongyloidiasis in two clinical contexts (in a tropical setting and a high-income country) and from a public health perspective are given in Boxes 1–3. Box 1. Individual Living in an Endemic Area with Diarrhea, Abdominal Pain, Pruritus, and Significant Dermatological Manifestations [10] A 43-year-old male farmer, living in the rural eastern part of Preah Vihear province, northern Cambodia, was diagnosed with a heavy Strongyloides stercoralis infection (924 and 478 larvae present in two Baermann examinations). Additionally, larvae and adult S. stercoralis were detected in Koga agar plate culture examinations of the stools. The patient was co-infected with hookworm and presented with abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, fever, and a pronounced and persistent skin rash, which had been present with extensive itching for more than two years. The rash was observed on the back, chest, abdomen, and extremities and, due to frequent and intense scratching, showed signs of focal infection. Three weeks after treatment with a single oral dose of ivermectin (200 μg/kg) and a single oral dose of mebendazole, the patient’s rash had almost disappeared, and he was free of episodes of intensive itching.

Ivermectin Treatment and Sanitation Effectively Reduce Strongyloides stercoralis Infection Risk in Rural Communities in Cambodia.

BackgroundStrongyloides stercoralis is the only soil-transmitted helminth with the ability to replicate within its host, leading to long-lasting and potentially fatal infections. It is ubiquitous and its worldwide prevalence has recently been estimated to be at least half that of hookworm. Information on the epidemiology of S. stercoralis remains scarce and modalities for its large-scale control are yet to be determined.Methodology/Principal FindingsA community-based two-year cohort study was conducted among the general population in a rural province in North Cambodia. At each survey, participants infected with S. stercoralis were treated with a single oral dose of ivermectin (200μg/kg BW). Diagnosis was performed using a combination of the Baermann method and Koga agar plate culture on two stool samples. The cohort included participants from eight villages who were either positive or negative for S. stercoralis at baseline. Mixed logistic regression models were employed to assess risk factors for S. stercoralis infection at baseline and re-infection at follow-up. A total of 3,096 participants were examined at baseline, revealing a S. stercoralis prevalence of 33.1%. Of these participants, 1,269 were followed-up over two years. Re-infection and infection rates among positive and negative participants at baseline were 14.4% and 9.6% at the first and 11.0% and 11.5% at the second follow-up, respectively. At follow-up, all age groups were at similar risk of acquiring an infection, while infection risk significantly decreased with increasing village sanitation coverage.Conclusions/SignificanceChemotherapy-based control of S. stercoralis is feasible and highly beneficial, particularly in combination with improved sanitation. The impact of community-based ivermectin treatment on S. stercoralis was high, with over 85% of villagers remaining negative one year after treatment. The integration of S. stercoralis into existing STH control programs should be considered without further delay.

Eficácia da ivermectina oral no controle de Psoroptes ovis e Leporacarus gibbus em coelhos naturalmente infestados

O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar a eficácia da ivermectina administrada por via oral no controle de Psoroptes ovis e Leporacarus gibbus em coelhos naturalmente infestados. Foram selecionados 20 coelhos adultos, distribuídos na mesma proporção de ambos os sexos, em dois grupos experimentais, compondo dez animais por grupo. No grupo controle foi administrado o mesmo volume do tratamento de solução salina, enquanto o grupo tratado recebeu dose única de ivermectina oral (400 µg/Kg). O diagnóstico dos ácaros foi realizado com auxílio de microscópio estereoscópico após a devida coleta de material. Para P. ovis foi realizada através de coleta do cerúmen com auxílio de zaragatoas efetuadas nas orelhas e para por L. gibbus foi realizada coleta de pelos nas regiões do pescoço dorsal, lombar direita, lombar esquerda, cauda ventral e abdômen ventral. A avaliação da eficácia e a avaliação clínica das lesões, mensuradas em escores (grau 0 a 4) foi realizada nos dias 0, +3, +7, +14, +21, +28 e + 35, após o tratamento. Foi observada a eficácia de 100% no controle de P. ovis a partir do dia +7 e para L. gibbus a partir do dia +14, mantendo-se negativos até o final do período experimental. O escore da lesão das orelhas do grupo tratado regrediu a partir do dia +14 e no dia +21 todos os animais atingiram grau 0. No grupo controle, dois animais apresentaram aumento no escore da lesão das orelhas, um coelho apresentou aumento do escore de grau 1 para 2 e outro coelho de grau 3 para 4. Não foram observadas quaisquer reações adversas nos animais tratados. A ivermectina administrada por via oral em dose única foi eficaz no controle de P. ovis e L. gibbus em coelhos naturalmente infestados.

SevereDemodexfolliculorum–Associated Oculocutaneous Rosacea in a Girl Successfully Treated With Ivermectin

There is a limited therapeutic armamentarium for recalcitrant cases of childhood rosacea. We report the case of a 12-year-old girl who presented with severe ocular and cutaneous rosacea unresponsive to oral doxycycline, oral isotretinoin, and topical tacrolimus. A biopsy specimen showed numerous mites within the folliculosebaceous unit. Treatment with a single dose of oral ivermectin achieved resolution of her symptoms. The causative role of Demodex folliculorum should be considered in immunocompetent children with rosacea or rosacea-like refractory eruptions. In such cases, treatment with ivermectin can be beneficial.

Comparison of oral ivermectin vs. lindane lotion 1% for the treatment of scabies

Scabies is a common parasitic infestation that is an important public-health problem in many resource-poor regions. It is commonly treated with the insecticides ivermectin and permethrin. To compare the efficacy and safety of oral ivermectin vs. lindane lotion 1% for the treatment of scabies. In total, 148 patients with scabies were enrolled, and were randomized into two groups: the first group received a single dose of oral ivermectin 200 μg/kg body weight, and the second group were treated with two applications of topical lindane lotion 1%, with a 1-week interval between applications. Treatment was evaluated at intervals of 2 and 4 weeks, and if there was treatment failure at the 2-week follow-up, treatment was repeated. A single dose of ivermectin provided a cure rate of 60.8% at the 2-week follow-up, which increased to 89.1% at the 4-week follow-up. after crossing over to the lindane lotion 1% group. Treatment with two applications of lindane lotion 1%, with a 1-week interval between them, was effective in 47.2% of patients at the 2-week follow-up, which increased to 72.9% at the 4-week follow-up after this treatment was repeated. A single dose of ivermectin was as effective as two applications of lindane lotion 1% at the 2-week follow-up. After repeat treatment, ivermectin was superior to lindane lotion 1% at the 4-week follow up. The delay in clinical response with ivermectin suggests that it may not be effective against all the stages in the life cycle of the parasite.

Comparison of oral ivermectin versus crotamiton 10% cream in the treatment of scabies

Objective: Scabies is a relatively contagious infection caused by a tiny mite (Sarcoptes scabiei). Products used to treat scabies are called scabicides because they kill scabies mites; some also kill mite eggs. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of oral ivermectin versus crotamiton 10% cream for the treatment of scabies.Methods: In total, 320 patients with scabies were enrolled, and were randomized into two groups: the first group received a single dose of oral ivermectin 200 µg/kg body weight, and the second group were treated with crotamiton 10% cream and were told to apply this twice daily for five consecutive days. Treatment was evaluated at intervals of two and four weeks, and if there was treatment failure at the two-week follow-up, the treatment was repeated.Results: A single dose of ivermectin provided a cure rate of 62.5% at the two-week follow-up, which increased to 87.5% at the four-week follow-up after repeating the treatment. Treatment with crotamiton 10% cream was effective in 46.8% of patients at the two-week follow-up, which increased to 62.5% at the four-week follow-up after this treatment was repeated.Conclusion: A single dose of ivermectin was as effective as one application of crotamiton 10% cream at the two-week follow-up. After repeat treatment, ivermectin was superior to crotamiton 10% cream at the four-week follow up. The delay in clinical response with ivermectin suggests that it may not be effective against all the stages in the life cycle of the parasite.