@article{fdi:010094320,
  title = {{S}afety and efficacy of 3-and 5-day regimens of levamisole in loiasis : a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial},
  author = {{C}hesnais, {C}{\'e}dric and {H}emilembolo, {M}. {C}. and {S}ahm, {B}. {A}. and {T}outin, {F}. and {D}jeutassong, {E}. and {N}ga-{E}lomo, {N}. and {C}uer, {B}enjamin and {N}tsiba-{N}'{G}oulou, {M}. {A}. and {P}akat, {M}. and {P}ion, {S}{\'e}bastien and {M}issamou, {F}. and {B}oussinesq, {M}ichel and {C}ampillo, {J}{\'e}r{\'e}my},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{I}ndividuals with high {L}oa loa microfilarial densities ({MFD}) risk serious adverse events ({SAE}s) following ivermectin treatment. {A} single dose of levamisole ({LEV}) induces a temporary, progressive {MFD} decrease. {T}his double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial evaluated the safety and efficacy of 3-day and 5-day {LEV} regimens for the treatment of loiasis in the {R}epublic of the {C}ongo. {P}articipants were randomly assigned to receive placebo ({PLA}), {LEV}-3, or {LEV}-5. {S}afety was assessed by the occurrence of {SAE}s and the frequency and severity of {AE}s. {E}fficacy was measured by changes in {L}oa loa {MFD}. {N}o {SAE}s were reported, and {AE} severity was comparable across treatment arms. {O}n day 5, {MFD} reductions were greater in the {LEV}-3 and {LEV}-5 groups compared to {PLA} ( -1.6%, 29.3%, and 51.4%, respectively; {P} < 0.001). {B}y day 7, a higher proportion of participants achieved >= 40% {MFD} reduction in the {LEV}-5 group (44.4%) compared to {LEV}-3 (34.6%) and {PLA} (8.3%) ({P} = 0.051). {P}ost hoc contrasts confirmed significantly greater {MFD} reduction with {LEV}-5 versus {LEV}-3. {T}hese findings suggest that a 5-day {LEV} regimen is safe and moderately effective for reducing {L}. loa {MFD} and may represent a promising alternative for individualised management in loiasis-endemic areas, particularly where onchocerciasis is hypoendemic and coendemic with loiasis. {T}rial registration: {NCT}06252961.},
  keywords = {{CONGO} ; {AFRIQUE} {CENTRALE}},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{N}ature {C}ommunications},
  volume = {16},
  numero = {1},
  pages = {6191 [11 p.]},
  year = {2025},
  DOI = {10.1038/s41467-025-61479-6},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010094320},
}