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Ivermectin in human medicine
1Clinical Parasitology Section, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892.
The Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy
|August 1, 1994
Summary
Ivermectin effectively treats many parasitic infections in humans, including onchocerciasis and strongyloidiasis. Further research is exploring its efficacy against adult filarial worms and ectoparasites like lice and mites.
Area of Science:
- Parasitology
- Pharmacology
- Tropical Medicine
Background:
- Ivermectin is a macrocyclic lactone known for its antiparasitic properties.
- It targets nematodes and arthropods by affecting chloride ion channels.
- Existing treatments for some parasitic infections have limitations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the efficacy of ivermectin against various human parasitic infections.
- To assess ivermectin's potential as a first-line treatment for neglected tropical diseases.
- To explore ivermectin's role in managing ectoparasitic infestations.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing clinical studies and pharmacological data on ivermectin.
- Analysis of ivermectin's mechanism of action against different parasites.
- Comparative efficacy assessment against current treatment standards.
Main Results:
- Ivermectin is highly effective against microfilariae of several human filarial parasites (Onchocerca volvulus, Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi, Loa loa, Mansonella ozzardi) but not M. perstans.
- It demonstrates excellent efficacy in human strongyloidiasis and cutaneous larva migrans.
- Efficacy is comparable to existing drugs for Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, and Enterobius vermicularis, but partial for hookworms.
- Preliminary data suggest potential for treating human ectoparasites (mites, lice).
Conclusions:
- Ivermectin is a crucial drug for treating onchocerciasis and other filarial infections.
- It offers effective treatment options for strongyloidiasis and cutaneous larva migrans.
- Ivermectin shows promise for broader applications, including ectoparasitic infestations, pending further research on adult helminths.