Albendazole therapy for neurocysticercosis: a prospective double-blind trial comparing 7 versus 14 days of treatment. Cysticercosis Working Group in Peru.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the effectiveness of two regimens of albendazole therapy for neurocysticercosis.


METHODS
Randomized, double-blind clinical trial.


METHODS
Patients admitted to neurologic wards in Lima, Peru.


METHODS
Adult patients with active neurocysticercosis demonstrated by CT and Western blot (immunoblot).


METHODS
One week (n = 25) versus 2 weeks (n = 25) of albendazole therapy.


METHODS
Decrease in the number of cysts on CT.


RESULTS
Effectiveness of albendazole was 78%, with no difference between the groups when compared 3 months after therapy. Complete cure was obtained in only 38% of patients. Patients with more than 20 cysts had poorer responses to therapy. The clinical course and EEG evolution improved in most patients. Side effects were present in 38% of patients, mainly mild, transient gastrointestinal symptoms. Therapy was also associated with exacerbation of neurologic symptoms. Two patients died in the first year after therapy, both because of aggregated infections of ventricle-peritoneal shunts. One-year follow-up CT showed lesions in three of 10 patients presumed to be cured 3 months after therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
Extension of albendazole therapy for more than 7 days adds no benefits for the patients.
Garcia
H H
HH
Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru.
Gilman
R H
RH
Horton
J
J
Martinez
M
M
Herrera
G
G
Altamirano
J
J
Cuba
J M
JM
Rios-Saavedra
N
N
Verastegui
M
M
Boero
J
J
Gonzalez
A E
AE
D000328:Adult; D015766:Albendazole / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000871:Anthelmintics / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003551:Cysticercosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000871:Anthelmintics; D015766:Albendazole