[Chemotherapy of alveolar echinococcosis with benzimidazoles. A prospective long-term study]

Mebendazole and albendazole are the drugs of choice for the treatment of alveolar echinococcosis. In this prospective study we present and evaluate the outcome of the long-term treatment with both drugs.

Forty-four patients were treated with either mebendazole or albendazole and they were followed up for an average of 42 months. Success of treatment was defined as non-progression for more than 1 year.

The overall success-rate was approximately 80% (35/44). An initial regimen was recurrence-free in 64% of cases under mebendazole and in 73% of cases under albendazole. Half of the cases with recurrent disease could be stabilized after changing the therapeutic regimen. Seven patients received a continuous regimen with albendazole. They were observed over an average of 19 months without signs of progression nor significant side effects.

This open-labelled prospective study demonstrates the high therapeutic efficacy of both mebendazole and albendazole with similar response rates in the treatment of alveolar echinococcosis. In Germany, serum levels for mebendazole can easily be obtained at numerous institutes, while serum levels for albendazole are rarely available. On the other hand, albendazole reduces costs by over 40%. A simplified mode of intake and a reduced number of side effects argue in favor of the preferred use of albendazole. Albendazole in alveolar echinococcosis is only licensed for intermittent application. Nonetheless, continuous treatment may be considered in inoperable cases or progressive disease.