Broadening the range of use cases for ivermectin – a review of the evidence

Abstract

Ivermectin is a broad-spectrum antiparasitic agent that interferes with glutamate-gated chloride channels found in invertebrates but not in vertebrate species. Mass drug administration (MDA) with ivermectin-based regimes has been a mainstay of elimination efforts targeting onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis for more than 3 decades. More recently, interest in the use of ivermectin to control other neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) such as soil-transmitted helminths and scabies has grown. Interest has been further stimulated by the fact that ivermectin displays endectocidal efficacy against various Anopheles species capable of transmitting malaria. Therefore there is growing interest in using ivermectin MDA as a tool that might aid in the control of both malaria and several NTDs. In this review we outline the evidence base to date on these emerging indications for ivermectin MDA with reference to clinical and public health data and discuss the rationale for evaluating the range of impacts of a malaria ivermectin MDA on other NTDs.

Assessing the impact of housing improvement and ivermectin administration to cattle on malaria transmission in southwest Ethiopia: A study protocol for a community-based cluster randomized control trial

“…This includes treating cattle with ivermectin to kill mosquitoes feed on animals [15,16]. Ivermectin is a highly effective insecticide against malaria mosquitoes that is resistant to other treatments [46,47]. Ivermectin is a safe and effective solution for combatting malaria suitable for vertebrates, including humans and cattle.…”

Ivermectin: A Multifaceted Drug With a Potential Beyond Anti-parasitic Therapy

“…Ivermectin was initially introduced to treat onchocerciasis and has been shown to successfully control and eliminate infection through mass drug administration [2]. It has indications for use across a wide range of other parasitic infections including, but not limited to, strongyloidiasis, loiasis, ascariasis, filariasis, cutaneous larva migrans, gnathostomiasis, scabies, and pediculosis [1].…”

“…The Anopheles mosquito relies on glutamate-gated chloride channels for sensory and motor function [2].…”

“…The mode of action of ivermectin is based on its ability to selectively inhibit glutamate-gated chloride channels (GluCls) at nanomolar concentrations in invertebrates [9][10][11][12][13]. These channels are not expressed in vertebrates [2]. Inhibition of these channels affects feeding, motility, and reproduction [2].…”

Administration of ivermectin to cattle induced mortality, reduced fecundity and survivorship of Anopheles arabiensis in Ethiopia: an implication for expansion of vector toolbox

“…Rowland and his colleagues who worked in Pakistan documented the effectiveness of application of pyrethroid insecticide on cattle against zoophilic malaria vectors and claimed up to 56% reduction of malaria incidence [19]. There are also systemic insecticides (injected into subcutaneous tissue) such as ivermectin that are effective against endo-and ectoparasites [20,21]. Ivermectin was rst introduced for commercial use as an anti-parasitic drug for the animal use in 1981 [22].…”