Antifilarial treatment strategies: a systematic review and network meta-analysis
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The World Health Organization (WHO) prescribes mass drug administration (MDA) to eradicate lymphatic filariasis within endemic populations. The WHO endorsed using ivermectin with diethylcarbamazine and albendazole (IDA) for MDA in specific settings devoid of onchocerciasis or loiasis. Still, the utilization of IDA in sub-Saharan Africa is restricted due to the potential of diethylcarbamazine to induce severe adverse ocular events in individuals with onchocerciasis.
AIM: We aim to investigate all documented combinations of antifilarial drugs available in the literature using a network meta-analysis (NWM) design, focusing specifically on the treatment of Lymphatic Filariasis (LF).
METHODS: A meticulous search was conducted across four electronic databases to identify pertinent studies. Subsequently, a frequentist NWM was executed. Risk ratios (RRs) served as the effect size metric for categorical outcomes, each with a 95% confidence interval (CI).
RESULTS: Our study encompassed 45 studies, including 61,369 patients. At six months, multiple doses of diethylcarbamazine plus albendazole (multiple DA) regimens demonstrated superior efficacy in reducing microfilaremia compared to a single intake of DA, diethylcarbamazine, ivermectin, and albendazole with RR and CI as follows: 0.37 [0.19; 0.72], 0.35 [0.17; 0.69], 0.30 [0.14; 0.64], and 0.28 [0.13; 0.57]. The combination of ivermectin plus albendazole (IA) also showed significant efficacy against the use of each of these…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a meta-analysis, done in people. Its evidence level is 1 of 5 (Highest · pooled evidence). Pooled evidence from several studies sits at the top of the evidence pyramid. Reported size: 61,369 participants or records.
Read the paper
Related studies
- Combining in silico and in vitro approaches to identification of potent inhibitor against phospholipase A2 (PLA2)
- In silico and in vitro studies: investigating the chemical composition, DFT, molecular docking, and dynamic simulation of Satureja candidissima (Munby) Briq essential oil as a potential antibacterial agent
- Quercetin combined with ciprofloxacin and gentamicin inhibits biofilm formation and virulence in Staphylococcus aureus
- In silico study of the mechanism of action, pharmacokinetic and toxicological properties of some N-methylanthranilates and their analogs
- Anticonvulsant Effects of Citronellal, Daidzin, and Phytol, Possibly Through GABAA Receptor and Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel Interaction Pathways: In Vivo and In Silico Studies
- 2-Phenylcyclopropylmethylamine (PCPMA) Derivatives as D3R-Selective Ligands for 3D-QSAR, Docking and Molecular Dynamics Simulation Studies
Go deeper in Evidence Hub
Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.