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Dec 1, 2016Article Details
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Main Article Content
A compariso of mebendazole and albendazole in treating children with <i>Trichuris trichiura</i> infection in Durban, South Africa
Abstract
Objective. To compare the efficacy of mebendazole 500 mg and aIbendazole 400 mg single-close treatments of Trichuris trichiura infection in children in the Durban area of KwaZuluatal, South Africa.
Design. A single-blind randomised trial in children with a documented moderate infection of T. mchiura. Ova were counted in stool specimens before and 10 days after treatment by the formal-ether concentration method.
Setting. Two shelters for abandoned and orphaned children in Durban.
Participants. inety-six children aged between 2 and 12 years.
Outcome measures. The number of children who showed reduced T. trichiura ova counts after the treatments, and reductions in ova counts, both expressed as percentages. Statistical analysis using the Wilcoxon 2-sample test and the
chi-square test.
Results. Eighty-two children completed the trial; 42 received mebendazole and 40 albendazole. Of the mebendazole group 85% showed a reduction in T. trichiura ova count, compared with 75% of children who received albendazole. Mebendazole treatment was associated with a median percentage reduction in ova count of 72.2%, which significantly exceeded the 44.1% reduction after albendazole (P =0.024).
Conclusion. The mebendazole 500 mg single-close therapy was more efficacious than the albendazole 400 mg singledose therapy in treating T. trichiura infection in these children.
