NEUTROPHIL ACTIVATION IN IVERMECTIN-TREATED ONCHOCERCIASIS PATIENTS

Invermectin is a safe and effective drug for onchocerciasis treatment. In certain individuals, however, therapy is accompanied by adverse re actions. The mechanisms underlying these reactions are not yet known. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether neutrophils ar e involved in the development of these adverse reactions. Elastase and lactoferrin, two markers for the release of neutrophil azurophilic an d specific granule contents respectively, were measured by radioimmuno assays in plasma of onchocerciasis patients with varying degrees of si de effects, as well as in control subjects before and 1 and 2 days aft er ivermectin treatment. A considerable increase of elastase levels af ter treatment was observed, whereas lactoferrin levels did not change. The percentage of patients with elevated elastase levels was signific antly correlated with the degree of side effects. These findings sugge st that neutrophil activation may be involved in the development of ad verse reactions in these patients.