Mebendazole 500 mg for single-dose treatment of nematode infestation

Single 500 mg doses of mebendazole (Vermox; Janssen) were administered to 211 children aged 5 - 16 years in a rural area for treatment of single and mixed infestations with Ascaris lumbricoides, hookworm and Trichuris trichiura; the majority of subjects had low egg counts. Treatment was particularly effective against Ascaris, less effective against hookworm and promising against Trichuris. In most refractory cases egg output was considerably reduced. Treatment resulted in fewer Ascaris (95%) and hookworm (84%) ova reaching the environment. The results compare well with those obtained elsewhere in the world. One case of Strongyloides stercoralis infestation appeared after treatment. The drug was well tolerated and no side-effects were observed.