Albendazole as a treatment for infections with Giardia duodenalis in children in Bangladesh.
Albendazole, a broad spectrum anthelmintic recently shown to be active in vitro against Giardia duodenalis, was given at 4 different dosages and compared with metronidazole in the treatment of children in Bangladesh infected with Giardia. Three stools were collected over 10 d after treatment and examined microscopically. Albendazole was found to be effective: single doses of either 600 mg (n = 103) or 800 mg (n = 114) successfully treated 62% and 75% of infections, respectively; 400 mg given either once a day for 3 d (n = 116) or for 5 d (n = 115) successfully treated 81% and 95% of all infections, respectively. Albendazole given daily at 400 mg for 5 d was as effective as metronidazole, which cured 97% of infections (n = 230). Albendazole may thus be an alternative treatment for infections with Giardia, while the moderate efficacy of single doses may provide a benefit in addition to its effects on several species of intestinal helminths.
Hall
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International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh, Dhaka.
Nahar
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D015766:Albendazole / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D001459:Bangladesh; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004378:Duodenal Diseases / Q000469:parasitology; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D016829:Giardia lamblia / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005873:Giardiasis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000469:parasitology; D006801:Humans; D008795:Metronidazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D008795:Metronidazole; D015766:Albendazole