Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41372923›Full record

SynthesisParasites & vectors2025

Activity of antifilarial drugs on microfilaremia in the treatment of loiasis: a systematic review.

Pia Michelitsch, Lars Matthies, Tamara Nordmann, Rella Zoleko Manego, Michael Ramharter

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Parasites & vectors, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Pia MichelitschCenter for Tropical Medicine, Department of Medicine, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine and I, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
Lars MatthiesCenter for Tropical Medicine, Department of Medicine, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine and I, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
Tamara NordmannCenter for Tropical Medicine, Department of Medicine, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine and I, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
Rella Zoleko ManegoCenter for Tropical Medicine, Department of Medicine, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine and I, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
Michael RamharterCenter for Tropical Medicine, Department of Medicine, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine and I, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany. michael.ramharter@ctm.bnitm.de.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundLoiasis, caused by the nematode/filaria Loa loa, presents a major health burden in Central and West Africa. Despite the growing recognition of loiasis' medical significance, current antifilarial drugs remain inadequate in terms of efficacy and safety, particularly for individuals with hypermicrofilaremia. This systematic review aims to evaluate the efficacy of antifilarial treatment regimens for reducing L. loa microfilaremia and provide guidance on treatment strategies.

methodsA systematic review was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of antifilarial treatment regimens on reducing L. loa microfilaremia. Data on the percentage reduction of microfilaremia from baseline to nadir were extracted for each treatment regimen.

resultsA total of 27 studies were included in the review, with treatment regimens involving albendazole (ALB), mebendazole (MBZ), ivermectin (IVM), diethylcarbamazine (DEC), levamisole, imatinib, and moxidectin, among others. ALB and MBZ showed dose- and duration-dependent efficacy, with extended treatment leading to up to a 98-100% microfilaremia reduction. IVM showed a dose-dependent effect, with single doses of 200-400 µg/kg reducing microfilaremia by 88-92%. DEC exhibited high efficacy, achieving up to a 100% microfilaremia reduction.

conclusionsAntifilarial drug efficacy against L. loa microfilaremia varies by dosage and treatment duration, with IVM and DEC demonstrating rapid, high efficacy but presenting safety concerns for hypermicrofilaremic individuals. ALB and MBZ show efficacy with extended treatment but are slower acting. Further research is needed to optimize treatment regimens and assess clinical outcomes beyond microfilaremia reduction.

Indexed as

FilaricidesLoaLoiasisMicrofilariaeAnimalsHumansTreatment OutcomeFilaricidesAnthelmintic treatmentsLoa loaLoiasisMicrofilaremiaSystematic reviewTropical diseases

Identifiers

PMID41372923
PMCPMC12801498

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.