A preliminary trial of nifurtimox in the treatment of onchocerciasis.

Nifurtimox tablets were given at a dose of 15-20 mg per kg bodyweight daily for 5 days to 14 patients with onchocerciasis in the savanna of Cameroon. In general the therapy was well tolerated. During the course there were no clinical signs of microfilaricidal effects. 6 patients were re-examined after an interval of 8 months. The microfilarial load had decreased in 3 patients, while it was unchanged in 2, and increased in the last. There was no improvement in ocular lesions. These preliminary results suggest a possible effect on the adult parasite, and further trials are justified.