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Fiji Integrated Therapy (FIT) - Triple Therapy for Lymphatic Filariasis, Scabies and Soil Transmitted Helminths in Fiji

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Soil Transmitted Helminths
Lymphatic Filariases
Scabies
Impetigo
Interventions
Drug: 2 drug dose - DA
Drug: 3 drug dose - IDA with second dose of ivermectin
Drug: 3 drug dose - IDA
Registration Number
NCT03177993
Lead Sponsor
Washington University School of Medicine
Brief Summary

Lymphatic Filariasis (LF), scabies and soil transmitted helminths (STH) are common neglected tropical diseases affecting the people of Fiji. There is a dedicated LF eradication program supported by the World Health Organization (WHO), however scabies and STH are currently managed on an individual level with symptomatic treatment as required.

In an attempt to reduce the prevalence of LF globally, research is being undertaken into alternative, more effective treatment options. A recent study in Papua New Guinea demonstrated a new triple drug therapy (ivermectin, diethylcarbamazine and albendazole) is superior to the currently recommended two drug therapy (diethylcarbamazine and albendazole) used by WHO LF programs in the Pacific. However, adverse events were more frequent. Despite no serious adverse events being observed, it is necessary to conduct further studies to review the safety of this new triple therapy before it can be endorsed as an effective mass drug administration (MDA) regimen for LF in endemic countries. Fiji's burden of LF, that has been recalcitrant to previous MDA with diethylcarbamazine and albendazole, make it an ideal site to obtain further efficacy and safety data of the triple therapy.

Ivermectin given to communities as MDA has been proven to be effective in reducing the community prevalence of scabies. What is not known is the effects of one dose versus two doses of ivermectin as MDA. This question will be reviewed within the design of the community randomized study. The prevalence of impetigo in a community is linked to scabies and this will also be reviewed. Ivermectin and albendazole are both effective individually against STH. The effectiveness of this combination of treatment as MDA in Fiji for STH has not been studied. The effectiveness for the individual in the short-term and the community in the longer-term will be reviewed.

In addition, the acceptability and feasibility of the new therapy in communities at risk of these three diseases will be reviewed.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
4773
Inclusion Criteria
  • All community members that have given written informed consent to participate
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Exclusion Criteria
  • No informed consent
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Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
DA2 drug dose - DA* diethylcarbamazine and albendazole Day 0 * permethrin Day 8 if scabies present in participant or household member Details of dosing: * diethylcarbazine: 6mg/kg oral * albendazole 400mg oral * permethrin 5% cream topical: apply to whole body and wash off after 4hrs when less than 2 months; apply to whole body and wash o after 8hrs when 2 months and older.
IDA 23 drug dose - IDA with second dose of ivermectin* ivermectin, diethylcarbamazine and albendazole Day 0, ivermectin Day 8 * permethrin Day 0 and Day 8 if excluded from ivermectin Details of dosing: * ivermectin: 200 mcg/kg oral * diethylcarbazine: 6mg/kg oral * albendazole 400mg oral * permethrin 5% cream topical: apply to whole body and wash o after 4hrs when less than 2 months; apply to whole body and wash off after 8hrs when 2 months and older.
IDA 13 drug dose - IDA* ivermectin, diethylcarbamazine and albendazole Day 0, * permethrin Day 0 if excluded from ivermectin Details of dosing: * ivermectin: 200 mcg/kg oral * diethylcarbazine: 6mg/kg oral * albendazole 400mg oral * permethrin 5% cream topical: apply to whole body and wash o after 4hrs when less than 2 months; apply to whole body and wash off after 8hrs when 2 months and older.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Frequency, type, and severity of adverse events reported by participants following treatment with triple drug therapy (IDA) and standard two drug therapy (DA) in LF infected and uninfected individuals in a community as measured by CTCAE v4.03within 7 days of drug administration

Participants will be interviewed and asked to report their general health status at baseline before receiving treatment and daily for the 2 days following treatment (Active Adverse Event Monitoring phase). For 3 to 7 days following treatment, anyone unwell the preceding day will be actively followed, other participants will be interviewed only if they feel unwell and present to the study team (Passive Adverse Event Monitoring phase).

At any stage if they describe being unwell, further questions to determine type and severity of symptom(s) experienced will be asked and recorded according to pre-defined adverse event table. If participants report moderate to severe symptoms they will have further medical assessments as required.

LF infection status will be determined by Filiarial Test Strip (FTS) and microfilariae (mf) smears.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Clearance of microfilariae (mf) and filarial antigenemia following treatment with IDA or DA in LF infected individuals as measured by microfilaria count in 60ul thick blood smears and filarial test strip rapid diagnostic antigen test.Baseline and 12 months

Methods of assessment: FTS and Dried Blood Spot (DBS) for filarial antigenemia, mf smears for microfilariae

Acceptability and feasibility of IDA and DA in communities at risk of LF, scabies and STH as assessed by survey and focus group discussions.Approximately 4 weeks following treatment

Methods of assessment: Acceptability Survey, designed specifically for the Triple therapy studies, Focus group discussions, Interviews with key informants

Prevalence of impetigo measured at baseline and 12 months after treatment using the WHO Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) skin algorithmBaseline and 12 months

Methods of assessment: Skin examination

Prevalence of scabies in study population measured at baseline and 12 months after treatment using the WHO Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) skin algorithmBaseline and 12 months

Methods of assessment: Skin examination

Prevalence of STH (hookworm, ascaris, trichuris and strongyloides) as measured by Kato-katz or PCR at baseline and 12 months after treatmentStool collected at baseline (pre-treatment), 4 weeks (individual response), and 12 months (community prevalence).

Methods of assessment: Stool samples will be analysed using Kato-katz method, as well as PCR.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Ministry of Health and Medical Services

🇫🇯

Suva, Fiji

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