Targeting on the values of Wolbachia endosymbionts as novel feasible anti-filarial chemotherapeutic approach to prevent/reduce/clear disease in lymphatic filariasis and interrupt transmission in endemic communities of Tanzania

Targeting on the values of Wolbachia endosymbionts as novel feasible anti-filarial chemotherapeutic approach to prevent/reduce/clear disease in lymphatic filariasis and interrupt transmission in endemic communities of Tanzania: a randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial

Status

Active, not recruiting

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Interventional

Source

ISRCTN

Registry ID

ISRCTN12273637

Enrollment

Registered

2009-03-05

Start date

2008-09-27

Completion date

Unknown

Last updated

2015-01-13

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Wuchereria bancrofti lymphoedema stage I - V Infections and Infestations Filariasis

Interventions

45 individuals with circulating filarial antigen positive (CFA) and 45 individuals without circulating filarial antigen in their blood will be randomised to: 1. 200 mg/day doxycycline for 6 weeks 2. P

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

All

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria: 1. Age range 18 - 68 years 2. Males and females 3. Diagnosed clinically to have lymphoedema stages I - V 4. Permanent residents in the study area 5. May be microfilaraemia positive or negative

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria: 1. Children and pregnant women 2. Chronic liver, kidney, cardiac, central nervous system disease 3. Allergy to the trial drugs 4. Previous history of using anti-filarial drugs, e.g. ivermectin, albendazole, diethylcarbamazine 5. Past history of taking anti-geohelminthics, e.g. mebendazole, and antibiotics such as tetracycline or rifampicin in the last six months

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
1. Proportion of patients whose lymphoedema is reduced in size or cured 2. Proportion of acute filarial fevers and acute dermatoadenolymphangitis episodes or subclinical episodes prevented or reduced or halted during the trial period 3. Levels of CFA reduced or cleared 4. Levels of vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs) and pro-inflammatory immunological responses in plasma pre-post treatment in different stages of LE individuals	—

Measure

Time frame

1. Proportion of patients whose lymphoedema is reduced in size or cured 2. Proportion of acute filarial fevers and acute dermatoadenolymphangitis episodes or subclinical episodes prevented or reduced or halted during the trial period 3. Levels of CFA reduced or cleared 4. Levels of vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs) and pro-inflammatory immunological responses in plasma pre-post treatment in different stages of LE individuals

—

Secondary

Measure	Time frame
1. The length of time taken for LE to change in size or cured or reappear again 2. The levels of anti-Wolbachia surface protein antibodies response at pre-post treatment 3. Tolerability of the anti-Wolbachia agent (antibiotic-doxycycline) (drug adverse events)	—

Countries

Tanzania

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ISRCTN (via WHO ICTRP) · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026