Albendazole as a treatment for infections with Giardia duodenalis in children in Bangladesh.

Abstract

Albendazole, a broad spectrum anthelmintic recently shown to be active in vitro against Giardia duodenalis, was given at 4 different dosages and compared with metronidazole in the treatment of children in Bangladesh infected with Giardia. Three stools were collected over 10 d after treatment and examined microscopically. Albendazole was found to be effective: single doses of either 600 mg (n = 103) or 800 mg (n = 114) successfully treated 62% and 75% of infections, respectively; 400 mg given either once a day for 3 d (n = 116) or for 5 d (n = 115) successfully treated 81% and 95% of all infections, respectively. Albendazole given daily at 400 mg for 5 d was as effective as metronidazole, which cured 97% of infections (n = 230). Albendazole may thus be an alternative treatment for infections with Giardia, while the moderate efficacy of single doses may provide a benefit in addition to its effects on several species of intestinal helminths.

• Authors: A Hall, Q Nahar
• Journal: Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg) 1993 Jan-Feb Vol. 87 Issue 1 Pg. 84-6 ISSN: 0035-9203 [Print] England
• PMID: 8465408 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Controlled Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Metronidazole
• Albendazole

Topics

• Albendazole (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Animals
• Bangladesh
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Double-Blind Method
• Drug Administration Schedule
• Duodenal Diseases (parasitology)
• Feces (parasitology)
• Giardia lamblia (isolation & purification)
• Giardiasis (drug therapy, parasitology)
• Humans
• Metronidazole (therapeutic use)
• Treatment Outcome