Albendazole as an alternative therapeutic agent for childhood giardiasis in Turkey

• Published in: Clinical microbiology and infection Vol. 10; no. 6; pp. 527 - 529
• Main Authors: Yereli, K., Balcioğlu, İ.C., Ertan, P., Limoncu, E., Onağ, A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Elsevier Ltd 01.06.2004; Blackwell Science Ltd; Blackwell
• Subjects: Adolescent; Albendazole; Albendazole - administration & dosage; Albendazole - therapeutic use; Animals; Antiprotozoal Agents - administration & dosage; Antiprotozoal Agents - therapeutic use; Biological and medical sciences; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Giardia; Giardia lamblia; Giardia lamblia - drug effects; giardiasis; Giardiasis - drug therapy; Giardiasis - parasitology; Human protozoal diseases; Humans; Infectious diseases; Male; Medical sciences; Metronidazole - administration & dosage; Metronidazole - therapeutic use; Microbiology; Parasitic diseases; Parasitic diseases due to ciliates and flagellates; Protozoal diseases; therapy; Treatment Outcome; Turkey; Asia; Turkey; Giardia lamblia; Albendazole; giardiasis; therapy; Human; Protozoa; Protozoal disease; Microbiology; Diplomonadida; Parasitosis; Infection; Treatment; Giardiasis; Digestive diseases; Intestinal disease; Parasiticide; Child
• ISSN: 1198-743X; 1469-0691
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1198-743X.2004.00829.x

The efficacy of albendazole for the treatment of giardiasis has been indicated by previous in-vitro and in-vivo studies. In order to compare the therapeutic efficacy of albendazole and metronidazole, 107 Giardia-positive children (aged 3–15 years), diagnosed by three consecutive positive stool examinations, were enrolled in the study. Of these children, 52 were given a single daily dose of albendazole 10 mg/kg for 5 days, and 55 were given metronidazole 20 mg/kg daily in three doses for 7 days. Parasite eradication was achieved in 47 (90.4%) of 52 children treated with albendazole and 49 (89.1%) of 55 children treated with metronidazole (p > 0.05). These results suggest that albendazole is an effective treatment option for childhood giardiasis.