Cañete R, Brito K, Brito I, Semper A, Gonzalez ME. Effectiveness and Tolerability of 3-Day Mebendazole Treatment of
Giardia duodenalis Infection in Adults and Children: Two Prospective, Open-Label Phase IV Trials.
CURRENT THERAPEUTIC RESEARCH 2018;
89:43-47. [PMID:
30792825 PMCID:
PMC6370949 DOI:
10.1016/j.curtheres.2018.11.002]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2018] [Revised: 11/19/2018] [Accepted: 11/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Giardia duodenalis is the most common intestinal pathogenic protozoan infection reported in humans. Both in vitro studies and 4 separate, sequential, comparative clinical trials conducted by our group in Cuba demonstrated mebendazole activity against G. duodenalis infection in both children and adults.
OBJECTIVE
The 2 additional, prospective, open-label, Phase IV follow-up studies reported here were performed to further assess the effectiveness and safety profile of mebendazole in the outpatient treatment of G. duodenalis infection.
METHODS
Assenting children (n = 522) whose guardians gave permission and consenting adults (n = 423) diagnosed with G. duodenalis infection were given mebendazole (200 mg 3 times daily for 3 days). Medical histories and stool samples were obtained and physical/laboratory examinations were performed pretreatment then repeated on days 3, 5, and 7 after treatment completion. The evaluation of efficacy (ie, cure) was based on parasitologic response to therapy. Participants were considered cured, if no Giardia trophozoites or cysts were found in any of the 3 posttreatment fecal specimens evaluated by direct wet mounts and/or after Ritchie concentration techniques.
RESULTS
No participant refused to be enrolled and all returned for follow-up examinations. At the end of the treatment, stool samples were negative in 450 out of 522 children (86.2%) and 392 of 423 adults (92.7%). Treatment was well tolerated. In adults, the only adverse effect reported was abdominal pain (6.2%). Side effects reported in children included abdominal pain (5.6%), nausea (2.9%), and vomiting (2.3%). Reported side effects were all mild, transient, and self-limited and did not require discontinuation of treatment or additional medication.
CONCLUSIONS
Mebendazole may be an effective alternative treatment of G. duodenalis infections in both children and adults.
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