LONG-TERM EFFECT OF DIETHYLCARBAMAZINE CITRATE ON MICROFILAREMIA STATUS IN TREATED INDIVIDUALS

Follow up of microfilaraemic individuals infected with Wuchereria banc rofti at five years after treatment was carried out in a tea workers p opulation. Diethylcarbamazine citrate in the dose schedule of 72 mg/kg body weight given in equal daily doses over a period of 21 days clear ed 51.6 per cent microfilaraemic individuals five year post-treatment. Eighty five subjects were successfully followed and among these, 10 ( 11.8%) showed increase in mf counts, 31 (36.4%) showed reduction but r emained microfilaraemic and 44 (51.8%) became amicrofilaraemic. The ag e and sex of the host had no significant effect on the clearance of mf . Persistence of a relatively stable low number of mf in treated indiv iduals is more likely due to survival of one or more female worms afte r the therapy or due to reinfection which could not be ruled out in th e present study. Overall, findings indicated that diethylcarbamazine c itrate appeared to give a long-term benefit to treated individuals.