Anthelmintic drugs for treating ascariasis

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Parasitology
• Clinical Pharmacology

Background:

• Ascaris lumbricoides infection is a prevalent helminthic disease, disproportionately affecting children in low-income regions.
• Effective treatment strategies, including anthelmintic drugs, are crucial for reducing morbidity and interrupting transmission cycles.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically compare the efficacy and safety of albendazole, mebendazole, and ivermectin for treating Ascaris lumbricoides infection.

Main Methods:

• A meta-analysis of 30 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving 6442 participants of all ages.
• Data extraction and risk of bias assessment were performed independently by two reviewers.
• Efficacy outcomes included parasitological cure rates and egg reduction rates; safety was assessed through reported adverse events.

Main Results:

• All three anthelmintic drugs (albendazole, mebendazole, ivermectin) demonstrated high parasitological cure rates (approximately 93%) compared to placebo (16.1%).
• No significant differences in efficacy were observed between single-dose albendazole, mebendazole, or ivermectin.
• Adverse events were generally mild and comparable across the treatment groups, with no serious complications reported.

Conclusions:

• Single-dose albendazole, mebendazole, and ivermectin are equally effective and safe options for treating Ascaris lumbricoides infection.
• The choice of drug may not be critical, as all demonstrate high cure rates and favorable safety profiles in diverse populations.