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Updated: Aug 19, 2026
Determining Soil-transmitted Helminth Infection Status and Physical Fitness of School-aged Children
Published on: August 22, 2012
[Pinworm infection in kindergartens of Basel (author's transl)]
Insights
A study found that 6.7% of children in Basel had pinworm infections. Treatment with ciclobendazole cured all cases, but reinfection risk necessitates a second dose.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Parasitology
Background:
- Oxyuriasis (pinworm infection) is a common helminthic infection in children.
- Mass examinations are crucial for identifying and controlling parasitic infections in community settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of Oxyures infection in Basel kindergartens.
- To evaluate the efficacy of ciclobendazole in treating childhood oxyuriasis.
Main Methods:
- A scotch tape test was used to screen 949 children for Oxyures.
- A subset of infected children received a two-dose regimen of ciclobendazole (100 mg each, one week apart).
Main Results:
- The prevalence of pinworm infection was found to be 6.7% (64 out of 949 children).
- Ciclobendazole treatment demonstrated complete efficacy, achieving a 100% cure rate in treated children.
Conclusions:
- Ciclobendazole is a safe and highly effective treatment for pediatric oxyuriasis.
- Due to the high risk of reinfection, a second dose of ciclobendazole is recommended even after successful initial treatment.
Abstract:
Within the scope of mass examinations 949 children from kindergartens in Basle were submitted to the scotch tape test of Oxyures. The findings were positive in 64 cases (6,7%). The parents of 50 children accepted the suggestion that their children be treated twice with 100 mg of ciclobendazole each, at a weekly interval. This therapy resulted in complete cure of the oxyuriasis in all treated cases. Despite the impressive and safe action against this disease of ciclobendazole it is recommended in any case to take a second tablet, since the risk of reinfection is high.
