Table 2 Parameter assumptions used for the comparisons presented in this paper

Life expectancy of adult worms

10 years [38]

10 years [38]

Life expectancy of microfilariae

0.75 years [58]

1.25 years [59]

Distribution of worm survival times

Weibull

Exponential

Proportion of blood meals taken by vectors on humans

0.96 [30] and expert opinion

0.96 (matched to ONCHOSIM)^a

Macrofilaricidal effect of ivermectin

Not included

Not included

Microfilaricidal effect of ivermectin

100 %, instantaneous upon administration [36]

98-99 % at 2 mo. post-treatment following [40]

Embryostatic effect of ivermectin

All female worms temporarily stop producing mf but resume production gradually, reaching maximum production capacity 11 months post-treatment on average [36]

Fertile worms exposed to ivermectin decrease their mf production according to the dynamics presented in [40] and would fully recover if further untreated

Cumulative effect on mf production by adult worms

35 % reduction in the rate of mf production per dose, on average [36].

35 % reduction in the rate of mf production per dose [36]^a