Chemotherapy of human cystic echinococcosis: comparative efficacy of mebendazole and albendazole.
The relative efficacy of mebendazole (MEB) and albendazole (ALB) was tested by treating 51 patients with single, multiple and multi-organ hydatid cysts; 28 patients were treated with MEB, 50-70 mg kg-1 body weight daily for six to 24 months, and 23 with ALB, 10 mg kg-1 body weight daily in four courses of 30 days with 15-day intervals between courses. The therapeutic effect during the follow-up was assessed by ultrasonography, computerized tomography and chest X-ray. The criteria used when assessing the results were: 'success', evidence of effect on all cysts; 'partial success', evidence of effect on some of the cysts; and 'no success', no changes in cyst morphology. Treatment with MEB was successful in eight cases (28.6%), partially successful in eight (28.6%) and unsuccessful in 12 (42.8%). Treatment with ALB was successful in 10 cases (43.5%), partially successful in 10 (43.5%) and unsuccessful in three (13.0%).
Todorov
T
T
Medical Academy, Sofia, Bulgaria.
Vutova
K
K
Mechkov
G
G
Georgiev
P
P
Petkov
D
D
Tonchev
Z
Z
Nedelkov
G
G
D000005:Abdomen; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015766:Albendazole / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002493:Central Nervous System Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D002648:Child; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004443:Echinococcosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004444:Echinococcosis, Hepatic / Q000188:drug therapy; D004445:Echinococcosis, Pulmonary / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008463:Mebendazole / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013158:Splenic Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy
D008463:Mebendazole; D015766:Albendazole