eFigure 4.
Efficacy of ivermectin (IVER) 0.15 to 0.2 mg/kg (single dose) vs. benzyl benzoate (BB) 10%/12.5%/25% (1 or 2 doses) after 2, 3 [4.1.1 to 4.1.6], and 4 weeks [4.1.7 to 4.1.10]
*1 Treatment repeated on day 7 if condition worsened (IVER: 8 patients).
*2 See above.
*3 44.4% (IVER) and 24% (BB) of patients underwent repeat treatment after 1 week if there were no signs of improvement.
*4 Treatment repeated on day 7 (IVER: 8 patients) and day 14 (n/N not reported) if condition worsened.
*5 Treatment repeated on day 7 (IVER: 8 patients) and day 14 (n/N not reported) if condition worsened.
Sulfur 8%/10% applied as a single dose, on 3 days, and on 3 nights
Sharquie et al. (e49) investigated the efficacy of sulfur 8% and 10% applied as a single dose, on 3 consecutive days nights (dosage unclear). After 2 weeks the use of 3 applications was found to be superior, and the difference was statistically significant (RR: 1.72; 95% CI: [1.24; 2.38], RR: 1.78; 95% CI: [1.29; 2.44]). In week 2, 6 of the 33 patients receiving a single application, 9 of the 32 receiving 3 daytime applications, and 14 of the 32 receiving 3 nighttime applications reported dermatitis.
Mass treatment: therapeutic and preventive
Avila-Romay et al. (e50) investigated the efficacy of sulfur in 10% cold cream versus sulfur 10% and salicylic acid 1% in pork fat. Both preparations were to be administered on 3 consecutive nights and once more 3 nights later. After 10 days neither preparation was found to be statistically superior (RR: 1.13; 95% CI: [0.97; 1.33]; outcome parameter: no cutaneous lesions).
Romani et al. (e51) randomized 3 island communities in Fiji and compared the following:
1. Standard treatment of those affected and their relatives with permethrin
2. Whole-community permethrin treatment
3. Whole-community ivermectin 0.2 mg/kg systemic treatment
After 12 months no statistical superiority was found in terms of efficacy in favor of permethrin as standard treatment versus whole-community treatment (RR: 0.96; 95% CI: [0.92; 1.02]). However, whole-community ivermectin 0.2% mg/kg treatment was found to be superior to permethrin (both standard and whole-community treatment), and the difference was statistically significant (RR: 0.83; 95% CI: [0.80; 0.86] and RR: 0.86; 95% CI: [0.82; 0.89]).