Efficacy of niclosamide against aboriginal taeniasis in Taiwan

The present field trial attempts to test the efficacy of niclosamide by a modified chemotherapeutic schedule to collect the purged stool samples consecutively to search expelled worms. Nineteen patients with taeniasis were given 1 gm of niclosmaide with 3 gm sodium bicarbonate twice at 30-minute interval, then purgative was administered. The patients were allowed only fluid meal or fruit juice before treatment. In all, 33 worms (11 with scolex, 22 without), 17 strobilae and 247 segments were collected from consecutive purged stools. The scolex recovery rate was 33%. After taking the purgative, 5 female patients showed side-reactions (nausea, vomiting and dizziness) which were mild and transient. Two months after the treatment, 14 patients were still passing strobilae and/or proglottides in the stools but 5 were not. Four months after the treatment, only 3 cases were still passing strobilae and/or segments in the stools showing a cure rate of 84.2%. The results indicate that niclosamide is a good taenicide but with a slow effect.