title: Albendazole treatment of human hydatid tissue.
abstract: The effect of albendazole was studied in 12 patients with cystic hydatid disease (CHD) of the liver. Six patients received albendazole continuously for 6 months, while 6 patients received albendazole for 6 courses of 4 weeks with a 2 week drug-free interval between cycles. The continuous therapy proved successful, with stable involution at the follow-up at 24 months, while the patients treated with discontinuous therapy showed improvement or relapse. In our experience, continuous therapy was more effective and can be considered to be a suitable alternative or percutaneous therapy in uncomplicated hydatid liver disease, as an initial treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, Pisa Hospital, Italy.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Luchi
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vincenti
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Messina
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Parenti
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Scasso
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Campatelli
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015766:Albendazole / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004443:Echinococcosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D015766:Albendazole