Mass deworming experiment aims to wipe out parasitic worms in three countries

NCT ID NCT03014167

Completed Disease control Sponsor: University of Washington Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This massive study tested whether giving deworming medicine (albendazole) to everyone in a community, not just children, can break the cycle of soil-transmitted worm infections. Over 350,000 people in India, Malawi, and Benin took part. The goal was to see if treating entire villages for three years could reduce infections to very low levels and keep them there.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: Albendazole (a deworming drug)
What this could lead to: If successful, this could show that treating entire communities with deworming medicine can stop the spread of soil-transmitted worms, leading to simpler and more effective public health programs.
What could go wrong: The trial is very large but results may vary by region. Even if transmission drops, worms could return if treatment stops. Also, the drug is not given to pregnant women in early pregnancy or very young children, which could limit impact.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

filarial elephantiasis filariasis helminthiasis

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

FILARIASIS HELMINTHIASIS

Contacts and locations

Locations

Christian Medical College

Vellore, India
Institut de Recherche pour le Développement

Comé, Benin
London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine

Mangochi, Malawi

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