Albendazole therapy in human lung and liver hydatid cysts: A 13-year experience

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is an endemic disease in Iran. This study has aimed to report the efficacy of Albendazole therapy in patients with CE.

Among 164 patients with echinococcosis who were referred to the surgery clinic, Ghaem hospital, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences between 2001 and 2013, two were diagnosed with alveolar echinococcosis (AE) and 162 with CE; 43 of whom underwent surgery. The rest 119 patients received medical therapy by Albendazole 15 mg/kg/day for three phases. Each phase included 6 weeks of Albendazole therapy followed by 2 weeks of no medication. The patients were classified according to radiologic evaluations into four groups: (1) cured, (2) improved, (3) unchanged, and (4) worsened or relapsed.

Patients who completed more phases had significantly greater chances of better response. Of the 56 patients who completed all three phases, 37 (66.1%) were cured, 15 (26.8%) improved, 4 (7.1%) remained unchanged, and none worsened or relapsed. [Odds ratio (OR):4.78, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.95-7.74, P < .0001].

Albendazole can be beneficial for inoperable, multiple cysts, and multiple organs CE patients.