Albendazole--objective evidence of response in human hydatid disease

Thirty-two patients with cysts caused by Echinococcus granulosus were treated with albendazole in a dosage of 10 mg/kg/day. Reversible abnormalities in liver-cell function tests were seen in five patients. Some radiological evidence of remission (on serial computed tomographic or ultrasound scanning) was seen in 15 of 22 patients undergoing a therapeutic course of albendazole (as opposed to those treated before or after surgery). In five patients, the cysts virtually disappeared. Apart from reduction in size, the appearance of a halo around the cysts and the apparent disappearance of daughter cysts has been seen. Serological findings have not correlated well with radiological or clinical improvement. Serum and cyst concentrations of albendazole sulfoxide (the principal metabolite) have been measured.