The Filariasis Chemotherapy Unit sponsored by the TDR/WHO and ICMR was established at the T.D.Medical College Hospital, Alappuzha in 1989, with Dr.R.K.Shenoy, Professor & Head of the Dept.of Medicine as the Principal Investigator. The purpose of this unit was to undertake research work in Periodic Brugian filariasis. A public health problem of national priority, filariasis is endemic in the coastal belt of Alleppey district, the Cherthala taluk of which is a well known pocket of Brugian filariasis.

At this centre, which is now well recognised both at national and international levels for its research activities in Brugian filariasis, eleven studies have been successfully completed so far and there are two on-going studies. The results of these studies were presented during the national conferences at Madras and Pondicherry and also during international meetings at Paris, Penang, Washington, and Geneva. The P.I. had undergone training in ultrasonography to detect adult worms of bancroftian filariasis at Recife, Brazil. Results of ten important studies are already published in international medical journals of repute and another one is accepted for publication. Scientists from ICMR, TDR/WHO, USA, UK, Poland, Brazil and Japan have visited this centre for discussions and exchange of ideas in filariasis research. Now there are two more studies proposed to be carried out in this centre

The activities of this Filariasis Chemotherapy Unit so far are summarised below.

Personnel :

Principal Investigator: Dr.R.K.Shenoy

Former Professor and H.O.D.of Medicine

Co-Investigators:
1.Dr.K.Rajan, Vice Principal &H.O.D.of Community Medicine

2.Dr.Jalajakumari H.O.D.of Pharmacology

3.Dr.T.K.Suma, Assistant ProfessorDept. of Medicine

Staff: Research Officers : 2 Nurses : 2

Medical Social Workers : 2

Laboratory Technician : 1

Clerk / Typist : 1

Driver / Peon : 1

Attender : 1

Sweeper/Cleaner : 1

Studies Completed :

1. Ivermectin dose-finding studies in Brugian filariasis - completed on 2nd August 1990.

2. Retreatment of 32 patients with Brugian filariasis using a second dose of Ivermectin at sixth month - completed on 6th February 1991.

3. One year follow up of 28 patients with Brugian filariasis after an initial single dose of Ivermectin - completed on 16th February 1991.

4. A double blind parallel study of the tolerability, safety and efficacy of Ivermectin vs DEC in single dose regimen (with or without initial primer dose) in patients with Brugian filariasis - completed on 3rd January 1992.

5. A study of 65 cases of filariasis related ADL with special reference to precipitating factors - completed on 27th January 1993.

6. Immunological study to detect the presence of immunoglobulins on the surface of microfilaria of Brugia malayi - study carried out in collaboration with London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine - completed on 15th February 1994.

7. Efficacy of repeated doses of ivermectin or DEC on the occurrence of adenolymphangitis in patients with Brugia malayi lymphatic filariasis in a double-blind, placebo controlled study - completed on 28th April 1996

8. Streptococcal infection as a precipitating factor of acute adenolymphangitis in lymphatic filariasis - value of estimation of ASO titre - completed on 1st October 1996.

9. Study to assess the efficacy of DEC-medicated salt in microfilaraemia of asymptomatic Brugian filariasis - completed on 13th May 1996.

10.Study to assess the efficacy of combination of DEC and ivermectin in

microfilaraemia of asymptomatic Brugian filariasis - completed on 10th January 1997.

11.A double-blind placebo-controlled study, to compare the efficacy of multiple doses of oral penicillin, DEC or local treatment of the affected limb in the prevention of future episodes of adenolymphangitis (ADL) of Brugian filariasis - completed on 14th August 1998.

On-going studies :

12. A comparative study of the efficacy, tolerability, safety and interaction of combinations of Ivermectin with Diethylcarbamazine, Ivermectin with Albendazole and Diethylcarbamazine with Albendazole in single dose regimens in patients with Brugia malayi filariasis regarding their micro and macrofilaricidal effects - started on 26th September 1996.

13. Ultrasonographic evaluation of macrofilaricidal effects of Ivermectin,

Diethylcarbamazine and Albendazole used singly or in combinations in patients with Brugia malayi microfilaraemia - started on 10th January 1998.

14. A comparative study of the efficacy, tolerability, safety and interaction of single administration of Diethylcarbamazine and Diethylcarbamazine with Albendazole in patients with Brugia malayi filariasis regarding their micro and macrofilaricidal effects - To be started.

15. Pharmacokinetic study on Albendazole combinations in Lymphatic Filariasis - To be started.

Publications in medical journals :

1. Ivermectin for the treatment of periodic Malayan filariasis: A

study of efficacy and side effects following a single oral dose and retreatment at six months. Drs. R.K.Shenoy, V.Kumaraswami, K.Rajan, S.Thankom and Jalajakumari. Annals of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, 1992; 86; 271-278.

2. A comparative study of the efficacy and tolerability of single and split doses of ivermectin and diethylcarbamazine in periodic Brugian filariasis. Drs. R.K.Shenoy, V.Kumaraswami, K.Rajan, S.Thankom and Jalajakumari. Annals of Tropical Medicine & Parasitology, 1993; 87; 459-467.

3. A Preliminary study of filariasis related acute adenolymphangitis with special reference to precipitating factors and treatment modalities. Drs. R.K.Shenoy, K.Sandhya, T.K.Suma and V.Kumaraswami. South East Asian Journal of Tropical Medicine and Public health, 1995; 26;301-305.

4. The sheath of the microfilaria of Brugia malayi from human infections has immunoglobulin on its surface. Drs. R.K.Shenoy, P.G.Rakesh, C.I.Baldwin and D.A.Denham. Parasitol Res, 1996; 82:382-384.

5. Estimation of ASO titer as an indicator of streptococcal infection precipitating acute adenolymphangitis in brugian lymphatic filariasis - Drs.T.K.Suma, R.K.Shenoy, Jessel Varghese, Viju V.Kuttikkal & V.Kumaraswami. South East Asian Journal of Tropical Medicine and Public health, 1997; 28; 826-830.

6. Prevention of acute adenolymphangitis in brugian filariasis: comparison of the efficacy of ivermectin and diethylcarbamazine, each combined with local treatment of the affected limb - Drs.R. K. Shenoy, T. K. Suma, K. Rajan & V. Kumaraswami. Annals of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, 1998; 92; 587-594.

7. The efficacy, tolerability and safety of diethylcarbamazine-fortified salt in the

treatment of microfilaraemia of brugian filariasis: an open, hospital-based study - R.K.Shenoy, Jessel Varghese, Viju V.Kuttikkal & V.Kumaraswami. Annals of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, 1998; 92; 285-293.

8. Treatment of microfilaraemia of asymptomatic brugian filariasis: the efficacy and safety of combination of single dose of ivermectin and diethylcarbamazine -

Drs.R.K.Shenoy, L.M.George, A.John, T.K.Suma & V.Kumaraswami. Annals of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, 1998; 92; 579-585.

9. A double blind, placebo controlled study of the efficacy of oral penicillin, diethylcarbamazine or local treatment of the affected limb in preventing acute adenolymphangitis in lymphoedema caused by brugian filariasis - Drs.R.K. Shenoy, V. Kumaraswami, T. K. Suma, K. Rajan and G. Radhakuttyamma. Annals of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, 1999; 93; 367-377.

10.Treatment of microfilaraemia of asymptomatic Brugian filariasis with single dose of ivermectin, diethylcarbamazine or albendazole in various combinations - Drs.R.K. Shenoy, S.Dalia, A.John, T. K. Suma & V. Kumaraswami. Accepted for publication in Annals of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, 1999; 93; 643-651.

11.Ultrasonography fails to detect adult worms of Brugia malayi -Drs.R.K. Shenoy, A.John, S.Hameed, T. K. Suma & V. Kumaraswami. Submitted for publication in Annals of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology.

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