[Experimental studies of filaricides]

Several chemical compounds have shown filarical activities, which are presented and compared in this presentation: diethylcarbamazin, ivermectin, benzimidazoles and original compounds as epoxy and ethynesulphonamide, or carboxamides. Their metabolism and tissue distribution are depending of the host, and whether hosts are parasitized or not. Reference compounds have filaricidal activities depending of the stage of Filaria, and of the experimental model. The necessity of a good model is essential to extrapolate the results. Biochemical targets which can be identified from these animals models may be inappropriate for use in human filariasis; that is why fundamental research is still necessary in this area.