{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,21]],"date-time":"2026-01-21T07:34:50Z","timestamp":1768980890539,"version":"3.49.0"},"reference-count":27,"publisher":"Public Library of Science (PLoS)","issue":"1","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,20]],"date-time":"2026-01-20T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1768867200000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"http:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"funder":[{"DOI":"10.13039\/501100001713","name":"European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","award":["TMA2019CDF-2730"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["TMA2019CDF-2730"]}],"id":[{"id":"10.13039\/501100001713","id-type":"DOI","asserted-by":"publisher"}]}],"content-domain":{"domain":["www.plosntds.org"],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["PLoS Negl Trop Dis"],"abstract":"<jats:sec id=\"sec001\">\n                    <jats:title>Background<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>\n                      <jats:italic>Loa (L.) loa<\/jats:italic>\n                      hypermicrofilaraemia (\u2265 8,000 mf\/mL) increases the risk of severe adverse events during mass ivermectin administration for onchocerciasis control. Albendazole has been proposed as a potential alternative for reducing microfilaraemia prior to ivermectin administration.\n                    <\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec id=\"sec002\">\n                    <jats:title>Methodology and principal findings<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>\n                      This prospective study was conducted in northern Gabon from November 2021 to April 2022. Individuals infected with\n                      <jats:italic>L. loa<\/jats:italic>\n                      were screened and allocated to three groups: two treatment arms receiving 400\u2009mg or 800\u2009mg of albendazole daily for 30 days among hypermicrofilaraemic participants, and a group with microfilaraemia\u2009&lt;\u20098,000 mf\/mL. Clinical symptoms and parasitological data were collected on Days 0, 2, 7, 14, and 30. A total of 70 participants were enrolled: 16 in the 400\u2009mg group, 16 in the 800\u2009mg group, and 38 in the group with microfilaraemia below 8,000 mf\/mL. Itching was the most frequently reported adverse event. By Day 30, no participants in the group with microfilaraemia below 8,000 mf\/mL presented with clinical symptoms. Microfilaraemia significantly decreased in all groups (p\u2009&lt;\u20090.01). After 30 days, over 70.0% of patients treated with albendazole had microfilaraemia\u2009&lt;\u20098,000 mf\/mL. There was no significant difference in efficacy between the two albendazole regimens.\n                    <\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec id=\"sec003\">\n                    <jats:title>Conclusions\/Significance<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>\n                      Daily administration of 400\u2009mg albendazole for 30 days effectively reduces microfilarial loads in patients with\n                      <jats:italic>L. loa<\/jats:italic>\n                      hypermicrofilaraemia and is well tolerated and safe. This pre-treatment regimen may reduce the risk of adverse events associated with ivermectin administration. Further research is needed to evaluate the long-term persistence of microfilarial suppression.\n                    <\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pntd.0013166","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,20]],"date-time":"2026-01-20T18:51:21Z","timestamp":1768935081000},"page":"e0013166","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1371\/journal.pntd.corrections_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Assessment of the efficacy and safety of two albendazole regimens for the treatment of hypermicrofilaraemic loiasis in adults in Woleu-Ntem Province, Gabon: A phase IIb single-blind randomised controlled trial"],"prefix":"10.1371","volume":"20","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-4994-3355","authenticated-orcid":true,"given":"No\u00e9 Patrick","family":"M\u2019Bondoukw\u00e9","sequence":"first","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Luccheri","family":"Ndong Akomezoghe","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Bridy Chesly","family":"Moutombi Ditombi","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Jacques Mari","family":"Ndong Ngomo","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Hadry Roger","family":"Sibi Matotou","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Ginette Severine","family":"Zang Ondo","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Valentin","family":"Migueba","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Coella Joyce","family":"Mihindou","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Bedrich","family":"Pongui Ngondza","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Christian","family":"Mayandza","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"H\u00e9l\u00e9na No\u00e9line","family":"Kono","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Dimitri Ardin","family":"Moussavou Mabicka","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Charleine","family":"Manomba","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Reinne","family":"Moutongo","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Luice Aurtin Joel","family":"James","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Denise Patricia","family":"Mawili Mboumba","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Marielle Karine","family":"Bouyou Akotet","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]}],"member":"340","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,20]]},"reference":[{"issue":"9070","key":"pntd.0013166.ref001","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"18","DOI":"10.1016\/S0140-6736(96)11094-1","article-title":"Serious reactions after mass treatment of onchocerciasis with ivermectin in an area endemic for Loa loa infection","volume":"350","author":"Demanga-Ngangue","year":"1997","journal-title":"Lancet"},{"issue":"6","key":"pntd.0013166.ref002","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"573","DOI":"10.1080\/00034983.1997.11813176","article-title":"Prevalences of Loa loa microfilaraemia throughout the area endemic for the infection","volume":"91","author":"M Boussinesq","year":"1997","journal-title":"Ann Trop Med Parasitol"},{"issue":"3","key":"pntd.0013166.ref003","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pntd.0012957","article-title":"Revisiting the Loa loa microfilaremia thresholds above which serious adverse events may occur with ivermectin treatment","volume":"19","author":"C Boull\u00e9","year":"2025","journal-title":"PLoS Negl Trop Dis"},{"issue":"21","key":"pntd.0013166.ref004","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"2044","DOI":"10.1056\/NEJMoa1705026","article-title":"A Test-and-Not-Treat Strategy for Onchocerciasis in Loa loa-Endemic Areas","volume":"377","author":"J Kamgno","year":"2017","journal-title":"N Engl J Med"},{"issue":"6","key":"pntd.0013166.ref005","article-title":"The impact of four years of semiannual treatments with albendazole alone on lymphatic filariasis and soil-transmitted helminth infections: A community-based study in the Democratic Republic of the Congo","volume":"14","author":"SDS Pion","year":"2020","journal-title":"PLoS Negl Trop Dis"},{"issue":"3","key":"pntd.0013166.ref006","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"140","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1708-8305.2012.00605.x","article-title":"Loiasis: new epidemiologic insights and proposed treatment strategy","volume":"19","author":"M Boussinesq","year":"2012","journal-title":"J Travel Med"},{"issue":"1","key":"pntd.0013166.ref007","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"202","DOI":"10.1093\/infdis\/168.1.202","article-title":"Albendazole in human loiasis: results of a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial","volume":"168","author":"AD Klion","year":"1993","journal-title":"J Infect Dis"},{"issue":"3","key":"pntd.0013166.ref008","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pntd.0004492","article-title":"Effect of Two or Six Doses 800\u2009mg of Albendazole Every Two Months on Loa loa Microfilaraemia: A Double Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial","volume":"10","author":"J Kamgno","year":"2016","journal-title":"PLoS Negl Trop Dis"},{"key":"pntd.0013166.ref009","volume-title":"Ending the Neglect to Attain the Sustainable Development Goals: A Road Map for Neglected Tropical Diseases 2021-2030","author":"World Health Organization","year":"2021"},{"issue":"4","key":"pntd.0013166.ref010","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"469","DOI":"10.1017\/S0022149X15000607","article-title":"The relationship between microfilaraemic and amicrofilaraemic loiasis involving co-infection with Mansonella perstans and clinical symptoms in an exposed population from Gabon","volume":"90","author":"MK Bouyou Akotet","year":"2016","journal-title":"J Helminthol"},{"key":"pntd.0013166.ref011","article-title":"Efficacy and Safety of Albendazole 400\u2009mg for 30 Days in Adults Patients with Low Loa loa Microfilaremia: A Non-Inferiority Randomized Controlled Trial Compared to Ivermectin","author":"L Ndong Akomezoghe","year":"2024","journal-title":"Plos Negl Trop Dis"},{"issue":"10","key":"pntd.0013166.ref012","article-title":"Epidemiology of concomitant infection due to Loa loa and Mansonella perstans in Gabon","volume":"5","author":"JP Akue","year":"2011","journal-title":"PLoS Negl Trop Dis"},{"issue":"5","key":"pntd.0013166.ref013","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"443","DOI":"10.1002\/cpt1974155443","article-title":"Minimization: a new method of assigning patients to treatment and control groups","volume":"15","author":"DR Taves","year":"1974","journal-title":"Clin Pharmacol Ther"},{"key":"pntd.0013166.ref014","first-page":"197","article-title":"Technics of concentration of Sanguicolous microfilaria","volume":"56","author":"S Hothi","year":"1963","journal-title":"Bull Soc Pathol Exot Filiales"},{"key":"pntd.0013166.ref015","article-title":"Albendazole: a review of anthelmintic efficacy and safety in humans","author":"J Horton","year":"2000","journal-title":"Parasitology"},{"issue":"1","key":"pntd.0013166.ref016","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"59","DOI":"10.1051\/parasite\/200209159","article-title":"Effect of a single dose (600\u2009mg) of albendazole on Loa loa microfilaraemia","volume":"9","author":"J Kamgno","year":"2002","journal-title":"Parasite"},{"issue":"1","key":"pntd.0013166.ref017","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"108","DOI":"10.1016\/S1473-3099(16)30405-4","article-title":"Excess mortality associated with loiasis: a retrospective population-based cohort study","volume":"17","author":"CB Chesnais","year":"2017","journal-title":"Lancet Infect Dis"},{"issue":"3","key":"pntd.0013166.ref018","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","DOI":"10.1093\/ofid\/ofad103","article-title":"Excess Mortality Associated With Loiasis: Confirmation by a New Retrospective Cohort Study Conducted in the Republic of Congo","volume":"10","author":"MC Hemilembolo","year":"2023","journal-title":"Open Forum Infect Dis"},{"issue":"8","key":"pntd.0013166.ref019","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pntd.0011584","article-title":"Efficacy, safety, and tolerability of albendazole and ivermectin based regimens for the treatment of microfilaraemic loiasis in adult patients in Gabon: A randomized controlled assessor blinded clinical trial","volume":"17","author":"R Zoleko-Manego","year":"2023","journal-title":"PLoS Negl Trop Dis"},{"issue":"11","key":"pntd.0013166.ref020","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"5448","DOI":"10.1128\/AAC.00843-13","article-title":"CYP2J2 and CYP2C19 are the major enzymes responsible for metabolism of albendazole and fenbendazole in human liver microsomes and recombinant P450 assay systems","volume":"57","author":"Z Wu","year":"2013","journal-title":"Antimicrob Agents Chemother"},{"issue":"4","key":"pntd.0013166.ref021","article-title":"Prevalence of cardiometabolic risk factors according to urbanization level, gender and age, in apparently healthy adults living in Gabon, Central Africa","volume":"19","author":"MFA Mengome","year":"2024","journal-title":"PLoS One"},{"issue":"3","key":"pntd.0013166.ref022","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"213","DOI":"10.1007\/s10865-007-9147-y","article-title":"The impact of medication regimen factors on adherence to chronic treatment: a review of literature","volume":"31","author":"KS Ingersoll","year":"2008","journal-title":"J Behav Med"},{"issue":"7","key":"pntd.0013166.ref023","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"707","DOI":"10.1179\/000349802125001933","article-title":"Effects of a 3-day regimen of albendazole (800\u2009mg daily) on Loa loa microfilaraemia","volume":"96","author":"L Tsague-Dongmo","year":"2002","journal-title":"Ann Trop Med Parasitol"},{"key":"pntd.0013166.ref024","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"102006","DOI":"10.1016\/j.parint.2019.102006","article-title":"Encephalopathy in a patient with loiasis treated with albendazole: A case report","volume":"75","author":"L Volpicelli","year":"2020","journal-title":"Parasitol Int"},{"issue":"7","key":"pntd.0013166.ref025","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"539","DOI":"10.2298\/VSP0807539J","article-title":"Adverse effects of longterm, continual administration of high doses of albendazole in the treatment of echinococcal disease","volume":"65","author":"M Jevti\u0107","year":"2008","journal-title":"Vojnosanit Pregl"},{"key":"pntd.0013166.ref026","article-title":"Antiparasitic agents.","author":"FM Kuhlmann","year":"2015","journal-title":"Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett\u2019s Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases"},{"issue":"3","key":"pntd.0013166.ref027","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","DOI":"10.1097\/MJT.0000000000001341","article-title":"Albendazole-Induced Liver Injury","volume":"28","author":"C Piloiu","year":"2021","journal-title":"Am J Ther"}],"container-title":["PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/dx.plos.org\/10.1371\/journal.pntd.0013166","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,20]],"date-time":"2026-01-20T18:51:28Z","timestamp":1768935088000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/dx.plos.org\/10.1371\/journal.pntd.0013166"}},"subtitle":[],"editor":[{"given":"Jong-Yil","family":"Chai","sequence":"first","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"editor","vocabulary":"crossref"}]}],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,20]]},"references-count":27,"journal-issue":{"issue":"1","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,20]]}},"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1371\/journal.pntd.0013166","relation":{},"ISSN":["1935-2735"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1935-2735","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,20]]}}}