Albendazole as an alternative therapeutic agent for childhood giardiasis in Turkey

Clin Microbiol Infect. 2004 Jun;10(6):527-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1198-743X.2004.00829.x.

Abstract

The efficacy of albendazole for the treatment of giardiasis has been indicated by previous in-vitro and in-vivo studies. In order to compare the therapeutic efficacy of albendazole and metronidazole, 107 Giardia-positive children (aged 3-15 years), diagnosed by three consecutive positive stool examinations, were enrolled in the study. Of these children, 52 were given a single daily dose of albendazole 10 mg/kg for 5 days, and 55 were given metronidazole 20 mg/kg daily in three doses for 7 days. Parasite eradication was achieved in 47 (90.4%) of 52 children treated with albendazole and 49 (89.1%) of 55 children treated with metronidazole (p > 0.05). These results suggest that albendazole is an effective treatment option for childhood giardiasis.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Comparative Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Albendazole / administration & dosage
  • Albendazole / therapeutic use*
  • Animals
  • Antiprotozoal Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antiprotozoal Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Giardia lamblia / drug effects
  • Giardiasis / drug therapy*
  • Giardiasis / parasitology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Metronidazole / administration & dosage
  • Metronidazole / therapeutic use*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Turkey

Substances

  • Antiprotozoal Agents
  • Metronidazole
  • Albendazole