[Use of levamisole in W. bancrofti filariasis]

16 african patients with diagnosed W. bancroft's filariasis admitted to Pedro Kourí Tropical Medicine Institute were subjected to a therapeutic management with levamisole: 300 mg as starting dosage, and 150 mg/day for seven days. 11 patients had been previously treated with several courses of diethylcarbamazine (DEC), but a low microfilaremia persisted in them. In the other 5 patients the only medication used was levamisole. A rapid fall in microfilaria concentrations was found from the first day of treatment on in all patients. Eventually, 14 patients (87,5%) were negative and two patients (12,5%) persisted having low microfilaremia and their concentrations lowered by 89 ad 93% respectively.