Efficacy of ivermectin in a patient population concomitantly infected with intestinal helminths and ectoparasites.
Ivermectin (CAS 70288-86-7) is a potent antiparasitic drug. However, studies have not been published evaluating the efficacy of ivermectin in a patient population concomitantly infected with intestinal helminths and ectoparasites. Here the results of an open trial on the efficacy of ivermectin in a heavily poly-parasitized population in northeast Brazil are presented. Two hundred and fifty-one patients were enrolled. Two doses of ivermectin (200 microg/kg) were given at an interval of 10 days. The cure rates for intestinal helminthiases were: 100% for strongyloidiasis and enterobiasis, 99% for ascariasis, 84% for trichuriasis, 68% for hookworm disease, and 50% for hymenolepiasis. Cure rates for ectoparasitoses were: 100% for cutaneous larva migrans, 99% for pediculosis, 88% for scabies and 64% for tungiasis. The results show that two doses of ivermectin are highly efficacious for most intestinal helminths and ectoparasites simultaneously present in an impoverished population. The drug seems to be particularly useful when polyparasitism is expected to occur or when public health measures aim to reduce both intestinal helminthiases and parasitic skin diseases by mass chemotherapy.
Heukelbach
Jörg
J
Department of Community Health, Federal University of Ceará State, Fortaleza CE Brazil. samsa@mcanet.com.br
Wilcke
Thomas
T
Winter
Benedikt
B
Sales de Oliveira
Fabíola Araújo
FA
Sabóia Moura
Rômulo César
RC
Harms
Gundel
G
Liesenfeld
Oliver
O
Feldmeier
Hermann
H
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000871:Anthelmintics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000977:Antiparasitic Agents; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006373:Helminthiasis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000469:parasitology; D006801:Humans; D007411:Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000469:parasitology; D007559:Ivermectin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010272:Parasitic Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000469:parasitology; D011786:Quality Control; D012876:Skin Diseases, Parasitic / Q000469:parasitology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000871:Anthelmintics; D000977:Antiparasitic Agents; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents; D007559:Ivermectin