Treatment of cutaneous gnathostomiasis with ivermectin.
In a randomized open study, we compared the efficacy of a single dose of oral ivermectin (200 microg/kg) and oral albendazole (400 mg/day for 21 days) for the treatment of cutaneous gnathostomiasis. Thirty-one patients were randomly assigned to receive ivermectin (n = 17) or albendazole (n = 14). Thirteen of 17 patients who received ivermectin responded, 3 relapsed, and 1 was unresponsive (cure rate = 76%). Thirteen of 14 patients who received albendazole responded very well and did not relapse. Only one patient was unresponsive (cure rate = 92%; P > 0.05). No major side effects were observed in both groups. We concluded that a single dose of ivermectin (200 microg/kg) is less effective than albendazole (400 mg/day for 21 days) for treatment of cutaneous gnathostomiasis, but there was no statistically significant difference (P > 0.05).
Kraivichian
Kanyarat
K
Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand. fmedstt@md2.md.chula.ac.th
Nuchprayoon
Surang
S
Sitichalernchai
Prasert
P
Chaicumpa
Wanpen
W
Yentakam
Sutin
S
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015766:Albendazole / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000818:Animals; D000871:Anthelmintics / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000909:Antibodies, Helminth / Q000097:blood; D000977:Antiparasitic Agents; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D006039:Gnathostoma / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D007559:Ivermectin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012876:Skin Diseases, Parasitic / Q000473:pathology; D017205:Spirurida Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000871:Anthelmintics; D000909:Antibodies, Helminth; D000977:Antiparasitic Agents; D007559:Ivermectin; D015766:Albendazole