The effectiveness of 3, 5 or 7 days of albendazole for the treatment of Trichuris trichiura infection.
A randomized clinical trial was carried out to study the relationship between the duration of albendazole therapy, at 400 mg/day, and its effectiveness in the treatment of Trichuris trichiura infection. The 168 patients were treated for three (N=56), five (N=56) or seven (N=56) consecutive days. Compared with both of the shorter regimens, treatment for 7 days resulted in a significantly higher cure 'rate' and significantly greater reductions in the level of egg excretion. The advantage of using the longer (5- or 7-day) regimens was most apparent among the patients who had heavy infections (at least 1000 Trichuris eggs/g faeces) when treated. It is therefore suggested that albendazole be given for at least 3 days to those with light infections and for 5-7 days to patients with heavy infections.
Sirivichayakul
C
C
Department of Tropical Pediatrics, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, 420/6 Rajvithi Road, Bangkok 10400, Thailand. headtmpd@mahidol.ac.th
Pojjaroen-Anant
C
C
Wisetsing
P
P
Praevanit
R
R
Chanthavanich
P
P
Limkittikul
K
K
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015766:Albendazole / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000969:Antinematodal Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D002648:Child; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010270:Parasite Egg Count / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014257:Trichuriasis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*
D000969:Antinematodal Agents; D015766:Albendazole