Filariasis in American Samoa

SummaryDiethylcarbamazine is rapidly microfilaricidal but there has been no demonstration that the adult worms are killed. Its possible place as an adjuvant public health measure in the control of filariasis is yet to be demonstrated. Thiacetarsamide is very slowly microfilaricidal but the results are more permanent and that, together with collateral laboratory evidence, suggests that the adult worms are killed. This drug must however, be, given intravenously, apparently daily for not less than 15 days, and thus has limited value as a community-wide public health measure.