A comparison of mebendazole and albendazole in treating children with Trichuris trichiura infection in Durban, South Africa.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the efficacy of mebendazole 500 mg and albendazole 400 mg single-dose treatments of Trichuris trichiura infection in children in the Durban area of KwaZuluNatal, South Africa.


METHODS
A single-blind randomised trial in children with a documented moderate infection of T. trichiura. Ova were counted in stool specimens before and 10 days after treatment by the formal-ether concentration method.


METHODS
Two shelters for abandoned and orphaned children in Durban.


METHODS
Ninety-six children aged between 2 and 12 years.


METHODS
The number of children who showed reduced T. trichiura ova counts after the treatments, and reductions in ova counts, both expressed as percentages. Statistical analysis using the Wilcoxon 2-sample test and the chi-square test.


RESULTS
Eighty-two children completed the trial; 42 received mebendazole and 40 albendazole. Of the mebendazole group 85% showed a reduction in T. trichiura ova count, compared with 75% of children who received albendazole. Mebendazole treatment was associated with a median percentage reduction in ova count of 72.2%, which significantly exceeded the 44.1% reduction after albendazole (P = 0.024).


CONCLUSIONS
The mebendazole 500 mg single-dose therapy was more efficacious than the albendazole 400 mg single-dose therapy in treating T. trichiura infection in these children.
Medical Research Council, Durban.
T F
TF
Jackson
S R
SR
Epstein
E
E
Gouws
R F
RF
Cheetham
D015766:Albendazole / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000871:Anthelmintics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000969:Antinematodal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D006801:Humans; D008463:Mebendazole / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010270:Parasite Egg Count; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D013019:South Africa; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014257:Trichuriasis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000469:parasitology
D000871:Anthelmintics; D000969:Antinematodal Agents; D008463:Mebendazole; D015766:Albendazole