Large-scale treatment (chemoprophylaxis)
Lymphatic filariasis can be eliminated by interrupting the spread of infection with chemoprophylactic treatments. The chemoprophylaxis strategy recommended by the WHO to eliminate lymphatic filariasis consists of the massive administration of drugs, which entails offering an annual dose of drugs to the entire population at risk. The drugs used have a limited effect on adult parasites, but effectively reduce the density of microfilariae in the blood and prevent the spread of parasites to mosquitoes.
The recommended mass drug administration regimen depends on the coendemicity of lymphatic filariasis with other filariases. WHO recommends the following mass drug administration guidelines:
400 mg of albendazole twice a year in areas where loiasis is co-endemic. 200 µg / kg of ivermectin plus 400 mg of albendazole in countries with onchocerciasis. 6 mg / kg of diethylcarbamazine citrate plus 400 mg of albendazole in countries without onchocerciasis