Conclusions
microfilaraemia
In summary, the efficacy of albendazole based regimens in clearing microfilaraemia seems to be limited to an approximate 90% reduction in this high transmission area. Its slow onset of action over several weeks makes it suitable for the safe and gradual reduction of microfilaraemia. However, at the same time the requirement for prolonged treatment regimens over 3–5 weeks is an important limitation for its large-scale use in population-based treatment programmes. Alternative drugs or drug formulations are therefore needed to simplify treatment regimens and to provide the tools for community-based control programmes in 