Effect of nitazoxanide in persistent diarrhea and enteritis associated with Blastocystis hominis.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of nitazoxanide for the treatment of diarrhea and enteritis associated with Blastocystis hominis as the sole identified pathogen in children and adults from the Nile delta of Egypt.


METHODS
Two prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies were conducted. Nitazoxanide 500 mg (as a 500-mg tablet) was administered twice daily for 3 days in patients aged 12 years or older, 200 mg (as 10 mL of an oral suspension) was administered twice daily for 3 days in patients aged 4-11 years, and 100 mg (as 5 mL of an oral suspension) was administered twice daily for 3 days in patients aged 1-3 years.


RESULTS
Four days after the completion of therapy, 36 (86%) of the 42 patients who received nitazoxanide showed resolution of symptoms compared with 16 (38%) of 42 patients who received placebo (P<.0001). Thirty-six (86%) of the 42 patients who received nitazoxanide were free of B hominis organisms in each of 3 posttreatment stool samples compared with only 5 (12%) of 42 patients who received placebo (P<.0001). Response rates in patients receiving the tablets and the suspension were identical.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that B hominis is pathogenic in some patients and can be treated effectively with nitazoxanide. Alternatively, the possibility that nitazoxanide is effective in treating other unidentified causes of persistent diarrhea and enteritis warrants further study.
Rossignol
Jean-François
JF
The Romark Institute for Medical Research, Tampa, Florida 33607, USA. jrossignol@romark.com
Kabil
Samir M
SM
Said
Mohammed
M
Samir
Hatem
H
Younis
Azza M
AM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000977:Antiparasitic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016776:Blastocystis Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016845:Blastocystis hominis; D002648:Child; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004751:Enteritis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009574:Nitro Compounds; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013844:Thiazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000977:Antiparasitic Agents; D009574:Nitro Compounds; D013844:Thiazoles; C041747:nitazoxanide