Active clinical trials for "Onchocerciasis"

The purpose of this study is to determine whether rifampin and/or azithromycin are effective in the treatment of river blindness (onchocerciasis).

The primary purpose of this study is to determine a dose of moxidectin for children 4 to 11 years that is equivalent to an 8 mg dose administered for treatment of onchocerciasis in people 12 years and over. The secondary purpose is to evaluate the safety and pharmacokinetics of a single dose of moxidectin in children and adolescents aged 4 to 17 years.

This is a Phase 3 study comparing the efficacy, safety and tolerability of moxidectin and ivermectin in subjects infected with Onchocerca volvulus, which is the parasite that causes river blindness. Subjects participating in the study will be randomly assigned (by a 2 to1 ratio) to receive one orally-administered dose of either moxidectin or ivermectin.

This study aims at evaluating the safety and efficacy of levamisole in patients with loiasis infection.

This DOLF study will investigate the safety and effectiveness of IDA treatment in persons with onchocerciasis when it is administered after pre-treatment with ivermectin to clear or greatly reduce microfilariae from the skin and eyes.

Many studies have reported an association between epilepsy, including Nodding Syndrome (NS), and onchocerciasis (river blindness). A high prevalence of epilepsy has been noted particularly in onchocerciasis hyperendemic areas where onchocerciasis is not or insufficiently controlled with mass Ivermectin distribution. There is evidence that increasing the coverage of Ivermectin reduces the incidence of epilepsy and anecdotal evidence suggests a reduction in seizure frequency in onchocerciasis associated epilepsy (OAE) patients who receive Ivermectin. Finding an alternative treatment for epilepsy in these patients will have major consequences. Objective To assess whether Ivermectin treatment decreases the frequency of seizures and leads to seizure freedom in OAE patients, including patients with NS. If we are able to demonstrate such an effect this would be an extra argument that Onchocerciasis is causing epilepsy and that therefore we should increase our efforts to eliminate onchocerciasis. Methods We will conduct a randomized clinical trial in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to compare seizure freedom in onchocerciasis infested epilepsy patients who receive immediate Ivermectin treatment with delayed (after four months) Ivermectin treatment. All participants will simultaneously receive anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) according to local guidelines for epilepsy treatment. The primary endpoint is seizure freedom defined as no seizures during the fourth month of follow-up. Secondary endpoint is significant (>50%) seizure reduction compared to baseline seizure frequency. Reduction of seizures will be compared between Ivermectin and non-Ivermectin arms. Current status Start of enrolment is planned from March 2017 and we expect to have enrolled all 110 participants by August 2017. Results are expected early 2018. Discussion If Ivermectin treatment, in addition to AEDs, is able to lead to seizure freedom or significantly reduces seizure frequency in OAE patients this will have major consequences for epilepsy treatment in Onchocerciasis endemic regions. Ivermectin is donated for free, and in non Loa-Loa endemic regions has negligible side effects. Reducing the burden of epilepsy will have a major impact on quality of life and socio-economic status of families with affected members in Africa.

Randomized clinical trial in the Logo health zone, in Ituri province, Democratic Republic of Congo to compare seizure freedom in onchocerciasis infested epilepsy patients who ivermectin treatment once a year compared to 2 and 3 times a year. All participants also receive anti-epileptic drugs according to local guidelines for epilepsy treatment. Participants will be followed for 12 months. The primary endpoint is seizure freedom defined as no seizures during the last fourth months of the trial.

We will examine whether a combination of Ivermectim (IVM) plus Albendazole (ALB) compared to IVM alone given annually, which is the current standard for mass drug administration (MDA), is more effective in sterilizing adult worms. We will also address whether IVM plus ALB given twice per year is superior to IVM given once per year or twice per year.

Onchocerciasis is a vector-borne nematode parasitic disease that causes severe disability. Onchocerciasis affects approximately 33 million people, mostly in 30 countries in sub-Saharan Africa (with small foci in Latin America and Yemen) 1This disease causes blindness and severe skin disease and it is spread by black flies. O. volvulus adult worms live in subcutaneous nodules. O. volvulus adult worms are larger and less sensitive to available drug treatments than those of the species that cause Lymphatic Filariasis (LF). They also have a longer lifespan (approximately 14 years rather than the estimated 7 years for LF parasites). Several programs and developments have greatly improved the Onchocerciasis. situation since the 1970's when the Onchocerciasis Control Programme (OCP) in West Africa (green countries in the map) was initiated. OCP relied exclusively on vector (black fly) control in its early years. However, following the appearance of Ivermectin (Mectizan) on the scene in the late 1980's, OCP transitioned to become a drug distribution program with annual IVM MDA in 11 countries. OCP ended in 2002. This was replaced by the African Program for Onchocerciasis Control (APOC) which coordinates community directed distribution of IVM MDA in 28 African countries (including the former OCP countries). OCP and APOC have done a good job of reducing parasite infection intensities and Onchocerciasis disease rates in many endemic countries. Unfortunately, there is no real end in sight for the APOC approach (apart from a funding endpoint in 2015); while it may be possible to eliminate Onchocerciasis. In selected areas by MDA with IVM (alone, or combined with vector control), disease control programs in most African countries will require active maintenance for many years to come. While IVR has good activity against the parasite larvae that cause disease in the skin and eye (microfilariae or Mf), it does not kill O. volvulus adult worms, and they resume production of Mf that can lead to transmission of new Onchocerciasis. Cases by black flies after a few months. APOC activities are focused on areas with high infection rates (where disease risks are highest). However, extensive areas in Africa where fewer than 20% of adult men have Onchocerciasis nodules detectable by palpation are not receiving interventions for Onchocerciasis at this time. These areas are not disease free. (Onchocerciasis dermatitis can be severe in hypoendemic areas), and they also may serve as a source for reintroduction of the parasite into previously controlled areas after interventions stop.

The purpose of this study is to measure the amount of moxidectin in subjects' blood and to measure safety. This study will enroll 36 children aged 4 to 11 years (>=12 kg) with or without Onchocerca volvulus (O volvulus) infection. O volvulus is the nematode, or roundworm, that causes Onchocerciasis, also known as river blindness. Each subject will receive a single dose of 4 mg moxidectin (orally administered) and will be followed inpatient from screening through day 13 and as outpatients through month 6. The study will take place at a single research center.