title: Albendazole as an alternative therapeutic agent for childhood giardiasis in Turkey.
abstract: The efficacy of albendazole for the treatment of giardiasis has been indicated by previous in-vitro and in-vivo studies. In order to compare the therapeutic efficacy of albendazole and metronidazole, 107 Giardia-positive children (aged 3-15 years), diagnosed by three consecutive positive stool examinations, were enrolled in the study. Of these children, 52 were given a single daily dose of albendazole 10 mg/kg for 5 days, and 55 were given metronidazole 20 mg/kg daily in three doses for 7 days. Parasite eradication was achieved in 47 (90.4%) of 52 children treated with albendazole and 49 (89.1%) of 55 children treated with metronidazole (p > 0.05). These results suggest that albendazole is an effective treatment option for childhood giardiasis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology, Celal Bayar University School of Medicine, Manisa, Turkey. drkor@who.net
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yereli
authors.forename: I C
authors.initials: IC
authors.lastname: Balcioğlu
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ertan
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Limoncu
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Onağ
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D015766:Albendazole / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D016829:Giardia lamblia / Q000187:drug effects; D005873:Giardiasis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000469:parasitology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008795:Metronidazole / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014421:Turkey
chemical_list: D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents; D008795:Metronidazole; D015766:Albendazole