Treatment of diarrhea caused by Giardia intestinalis and Entamoeba histolytica or E. dispar: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of nitazoxanide.
A prospective randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted to assess the efficacy and safety of nitazoxanide in the treatment of diarrhea caused by Giardia intestinalis or Entamoeba histolytica and/or E. dispar in 89 adults and adolescents, 22 of whom were diagnosed with G. intestinalis, 53 with E. histolytica and/or E. dispar, and 14 with both G. intestinalis and E. histolytica and/or E. dispar. The study medication was administered as 1 nitazoxanide 500-mg tablet or a matching placebo twice daily for 3 days. Thirty-eight (81%) of 47 patients in the nitazoxanide treatment group resolved diarrhea within 7 days (median, 3 days) after initiation of treatment, versus 17 (40%) of 42 in the placebo group (P=.0002). With its efficacy in treating a broad spectrum of enteric protozoan pathogens, nitazoxanide could play an important role in the management of diarrhea caused by enteric protozoa, reducing morbidity and costs associated with these diarrheal illnesses.
Rossignol
J F
JF
The Romark Institute for Medical Research, Tampa, Florida 33607, USA. jrossignol@aol.com
Ayoub
A
A
Ayers
M S
MS
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000469:parasitology*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004404:Dysentery, Amebic / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004747:Entamoeba / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004748:Entamoeba histolytica / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004749:Entamoebiasis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D016829:Giardia lamblia / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005873:Giardiasis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009574:Nitro Compounds; D010919:Placebos; D013844:Thiazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents; D009574:Nitro Compounds; D010919:Placebos; D013844:Thiazoles; C041747:nitazoxanide