The efficacy of single-dose albendazole for the treatment of ascariasis
ABSTRACT: This study aims to
assess the efficacy of single-dose albendazole in treating mild, moderate, and
severe ascariasis.
Methods Stool specimens were collected from randomly selected elementary
school children in Suka village, Sumatera Utara, from March to April 2002.
Based on the number of eggs per gram feces (NEPG), samples were categorized as
mild (NEPG < 7000), moderate (NEPG 7000-35,000), or severe (NEPG >
35,000) ascariasis. All subjects then received 400 mg albendazole orally. NEPG
count was repeated on the 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th day after treatment. The
chi-square test was used to compare cure rates between subjects with mild,
moderate, and severe ascariasis. The ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis tests were
employed to analyze quantitative data.
Results From the 134 specimens collected, we found mild ascariasis in 57
(42.5%), moderate ascariasis in 57 (42.5%), and severe ascariasis in 20 (15%).
There was no significant difference between the three groups in NEPG after
treatment (P>0.05). The cure rate and egg reduction rate on day 28 after
treatment was 100%.
Conclusion A single dose of 400 mg albendazole is effective for the
treatment of mild, moderate, and severe ascariasis.
Keywords: ascariasis,
single-dose albendazole, efficacy
Author: Deddy S Putra, MD; W
Dalimunthe, MD; M Lubis, MD; S Pasaribu, MD; Chairuddin Lubis, MD
Journal Code: jpkedokterangg050073
