Albendazole: placebo-controlled study in 870 patients with intestinal helminthiasis

A total of 870 patients, both males and females, from 3 to 79 years old, received either albendazole or a placebo for the treatment of nematode and cestode infections. Each patient was interviewed and underwent a complete physical examination on the initial visit. In addition, complete blood count, clinical blood chemistry values and routine urinalysis were performed before and at least 24 hours after the last treatment. Stool examinations were performed before, 7 and 21 days after treatment. Direct examination, an egg count using the Kato technique and faecal concentration were carried out for each patient. In ancylostomiasis and strongyloidiasis, faeces were cultured by the Harada-Mori technique. Albendazole, as a single 400 mg oral dose, was highly effective against Ascaris lumbricoides, Necator americanus, Ancylostoma duodenale and Trichuris trichiura; efficacy against Strongyloides stercoralis was observed after three consecutive days of treatment at the same daily dose level. Efficacy against Hymenolepis nana was fair. Based on both clinical signs and biological values, albendazole did not produce any significant side effects.