Better Options for Lymphatic Filariasis Treatment

Safety and Efficacy Trial of Mass Drug Administration With Moxidectin Versus Ivermectin in Combination With Diethylcarbamazine and Albendazole for Lymphatic Filariasis, Scabies, and Strongyloidiasis in Fiji

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if mass drug administration with moxidectin in combination with diethylcarbamazine, and albendazole (MoxDA) can treat lymphatic filariasis, scabies and strongyloidiasis in children and adults living in communities where these diseases are common. The main questions it aims to answer are:

1. Does MoxDA clear infection in people with lymphatic filariasis ?
2. Does MoxDA cause any medical problems in infected and uninfected people?

Researchers will compare MoxDA with ivermectin given together with diethylcarbamazine and albendazole (IDA) to see if it works better to clear infection and does not cause any more medical problems.

Participants will:

1. Be tested to see if they are infected with the parasites that cause lymphatic filariasis, scabies and strongyloidiasis
2. Take 3 single doses of MoxDA or IDA, 12 months apart
3. Visit their village centre once or twice in the 1 week after each treatment for safety checkups

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Provision of signed and dated informed consent.
2. Resident in one of the study locations.

Exclusion Criteria:

There are no exclusion criteria to participation in the study.

Treatment Exclusion Criteria:

Participants are ineligible to receive the treatment regimen allocated to their village if they meet any of the following criteria:

1. Severe illness (any illness that is severe enough to interfere with activities of daily living);
2. Known or suspected allergy to ivermectin, moxidectin, diethylcarbamazine or albendazole;
3. Pregnant;
4. Breastfeeding a baby within 7 days of birth;
5. Age < 4 years for villages randomised to moxidectin, diethylcarbamazine, and albendazole (MoxDA); or
6. Age < 2 years or weight < 15 kg for villages randomized to ivermectin, diethylcarbamazine and albendazole (IDA).