Efficacy and Safety of Combination Moxidectin and Albendazole, Ivermectin and Albendazole and Albendazole Alone in Adolescents and Adults Infected With Trichuris Trichiura: a Randomized Controlled Trial

This study is a double-blind randomized clinical trial which aims at providing evidence on the efficacy and safety of co-administered moxidectin and albendazole versus albendazole monotherapy (standard of care) against T. trichiura infections in adolescents and adults (12-60 years) in Côte d'Ivoire. Additionally, this study aims to substantiate evidence on the efficacy and safety of co-administered ivermectin and albendazole compared to albendazole monotherapy against T. trichiura in the same age group.

The primary objective of the trial is to comparatively assess the efficacy in terms of cure rate (CR) against T. trichiura infections among adolescents and adults (aged 12 to 60 years) of moxidectin/albendazole combination therapy and albendazole monotherapy.

The secondary objectives of the trial are to compare the egg reduction rates (ERR) of these treatment regimens (moxidectin/albendazole combination therapy vs. albendazole monotherapy) against T. trichiura, to assess the CRs and ERRs in T. trichiura-infected participants given ivermectin/albendazole combination therapy compared to those given albendazole monotherapy, to determine the CRs and ERRs of the drugs in study participants co-infected with A. lumbricoides and hookworm, and to evaluate the safety and tolerability of the treatment regimens. In addition, this study aims to characterize population pharmacokinetics and drug-drug interactions of the study drugs albendazole and ivermectin in T. trichiura infected adolescents (aged 12 to 20 years), to evaluate pharmacogenomics of ivermectin using whole genome sequencing, and to assess the effect of the gut microbiota on pharmacokinetics parameters and treatment outcome (CRs and ERRs), and drug-specific off-target effects of anthelmintic treatment on gut microbial communities in post-treatment samples.

After obtaining informed consent from individual/parents and/or caregivers, the medical history of the participants will be assessed with a standardized questionnaire, in addition to a clinical examination carried out by the study physician before treatment. Enrollment will be based on two stool samples, which will be collected, if possible, on two consecutive days or otherwise within a maximum of 5 days. All stool samples will be examined with duplicated Kato-Katz thick smears by experienced laboratory technicians.

Randomization of participants into the three treatment arms will be stratified according to intensity of infection. All participants will be interviewed before treatment, 3 and 24 hours and 14-21 days after treatment about the occurrence of adverse events. The efficacy of the treatment will be determined 14-21 days post-treatment by collecting another two stool samples.