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Treatment for Lymphatic Filariasis and Elephantiasis—Reply
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In Reply: We thank Dr Fox and colleagues for bringing attention to several key issues related to our systematic review and for their clarification of points relating to the management of neglected tropical diseases.
We regret any confusion related to the terminology in our review. Although the terms elephantiasis and lymphatic filariasis are sometimes used interchangeably,1 this practice should be avoided. Filariasis refers to infection with nematode worms (such as Wuchereria bancrofti) transmitted by mosquitoes. Elephantiasis represents only 1 severe manifestation of lymphatic filariasis. We agree with the need for RCTs evaluating filariasis treatment to include prespecified standardized definitions of end points.
Fox et al also highlight the care that was taken in several of their RCTs to ascertain and document adverse events. We standardized the collection of information on adverse events reported in the RCTs included in our systematic review by using widely cited criteria described by Ioannidis . . . [Full Text of this Article]
Madhuri Reddy, MD, MSc
madhurireddy@hrca.harvard.edu
Hebrew Rehabilitation Center
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Boston, Massachusetts
Sudeep S. Gill, MD, MSc
Queens University
Kingston, Ontario, Canada
Sunila R. Kalkar, MBBS, MD;
Wei Wu, MSc;
Peter J. Anderson, BA;
Paula A. Rochon, MD, MPH
Baycrest Kunin-Lunenfeld Applied Research Unit
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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RELATED LETTER
Treatment for Lymphatic Filariasis and Elephantiasis
LeAnne Fox, Michael J. Beach, and Patrick J. Lammie
JAMA. 2008;299(6):632-633.
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