title: Short course albendazole treatment for neurocysticercosis in Columbia.
abstract: The efficacy of albendazole was evaluated in 20 Colombian patients with neurocysticercosis showing neurological symptoms. All had parenchymal non-enhancing cystic images by computerized tomography and a positive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for cysticercus antibodies in serum or cerebrospinal fluid. They stayed in hospital for 8 d during treatment with albendazole, 15 mg/kg/d in 2 divided doses, and were then followed for at least 6 months after treatment. The number of cysts was reduced by 50% after 6 months. In 7 (35%) all cysts disappeared, in 7 (35%) the number was reduced, and in the remaining 6 (30%) the number was unchanged. In the 13 patients who still had cysts at 6 months, 11 showed a moderate decrease in average cyst size and in 2 the size was unchanged. Side effects during treatment were observed in 60% of the cases, but only 3 required corticosteroids.
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine and University Hospital, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellin, Colombia.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Botero
authors.forename: C S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Uribe
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Sanchez
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Alzate
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Velasquez
authors.forename: N E
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: Ocampo
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Villa
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015766:Albendazole / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000469:parasitology; D003105:Colombia; D003551:Cysticercosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D015766:Albendazole