[Effect of combined chemotherapy against human intestinal nematode eggs]

The effect of a combination of albendazole and mebendazole was evaluated by stool examination in 7 patients with Ascaris lumbricoides eggs, 7 patients with Trichuris trichiura eggs and 9 patients with hookworm eggs. Albendazole and mebendazole were given at 300 mg and 375 mg, respectively. Both drugs were divided into 3 parts, one part b. id., and given in 1.5 days. The fecal eggs turned negative in all the patients with Ascaris infection in 3 days, while the fecal eggs were negative in all patients with Trichuris or hookworm infection in 5 days. The development rates of the eggs were remarkably lower post-treatment than pre-treatment. It was found that the ovicidal rates in human ascariasis, trichuriasis and ancylostomiasis were 98.8%, 100% and 100%, respectively on the second day following the initiation of treatment. The results showed that the worm-repelling and ovicidal effect of the combined chemotherapy was more evident.