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Albendazole treatment for Giardia intestinalis infections in school children
K Pengsaa1, C Sirivichayakul, C Pojjaroen-anant
1Department of Tropical Pediatrics, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Bangkok, Thailand.
Insights
Tinidazole demonstrated a significantly higher cure rate (96.1%) than albendazole (50%) in treating Giardia intestinalis infection in school children. Both treatments were safe, but tinidazole was more effective for giardiasis.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric infectious diseases
- Parasitology
- Clinical pharmacology
Background:
- Giardia intestinalis is a common intestinal parasite causing giardiasis in children.
- Anthelmintic treatments are crucial for managing parasitic infections.
- Evaluating the efficacy of different antiparasitic drugs is essential for public health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the efficacy and safety of albendazole and tinidazole in treating Giardia intestinalis infection in school children.
- To determine the parasitological cure rates for each treatment regimen.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial involving 113 school children with Giardia intestinalis infection.
- Children were treated with either albendazole (400 mg daily for 3 days) or tinidazole (50 mg/kg single dose).
- Parasitological cure was confirmed by at least two negative stool examinations 1-2 weeks post-therapy.
Main Results:
- Tinidazole achieved a parasitological cure in 96.1% (49/51) of children, significantly higher than albendazole's 50% (31/62) (p < 0.001).
- No major adverse effects were reported, with one case of severe headache in the tinidazole group.
- Albendazole showed moderate efficacy with a 3-day regimen.
Conclusions:
- Tinidazole is highly effective and safe for treating Giardia intestinalis infection in children.
- Albendazole, while safe, shows moderate efficacy for giardiasis with the tested regimen.
- Further research may explore optimal albendazole dosing or alternative treatments for persistent giardiasis.
Abstract:
A randomized controlled trial, 113 school children with Giardia intestinalis infection were treated with albendazole or tinidazole. Albendazole 400 mg once a day x 3 days and tinidazole 50 mg/kg single dose were given orally to 62 and 51 children, respectively. Parasitological cure was documented when there were > or = 2 times negative stool examination for G. intestinalis at 1-2 weeks after therapy. Thirty-one of 62 (50%) children treated with albendazole and 49 of 51 (96.1%) children treated with tinidazole had parasitological cure (p < 0.001). No major side effects were observed except one case in tinidazole group had severe headache for 30 hours. Albendazole appears to be safe and produced a moderate cure rate for G. intestinalis infection when a 3 day anthelmintic regimen is given.