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Single dose mebendazole therapy for soil-transmitted nematodes.
The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
|January 1, 1985
Summary
Single-dose mebendazole effectively treats common soil-transmitted nematode infections like ascariasis and trichuriasis in Indonesia. This treatment is safe, convenient, and cost-effective for mass deworming programs in highly infected communities.
Area of Science:
- Medical Parasitology
- Public Health
- Tropical Medicine
Background:
- Soil-transmitted nematode infections are a significant public health concern in many tropical and subtropical regions.
- Ujung Pandang, South-Sulawesi, Indonesia, has a high prevalence of intestinal nematode infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of soil-transmitted nematodes in Ujung Pandang.
- To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of a single 500 mg dose of mebendazole for treating ascariasis, trichuriasis, and hookworm infections.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess nematode prevalence in 450 subjects.
- A subset of 156 infected subjects received a single 500 mg dose of mebendazole.
- Cure rates and egg-count reduction rates were assessed post-treatment.
Main Results:
- Prevalence rates were: Trichuriasis (93.3%), Ascariasis (80.2%), and Hookworm (19.5%).
- Mebendazole achieved high cure rates (93.4% ascariasis, 77.6% trichuriasis, 91.1% hookworm) and egg-count reductions (≥92.8%) for all infections.
- The drug was well-tolerated with minimal side effects.
Conclusions:
- Single-dose mebendazole is an effective, safe, and convenient option for mass treatment of intestinal nematode infections.
- This approach is particularly valuable for controlling infections in highly endemic communities.
- Mebendazole demonstrated equal efficacy against Necator americanus and Ancylostoma duodenale.