Albendazole as an alternative therapeutic agent for childhood giardiasis in Turkey.

Author(s): Yereli K, Balcioglu IC, Ertan P, Limoncu E, Onag A

Affiliation(s): Department of Parasitology, Celal Bayar University School of Medicine, Manisa, Turkey. drkor@who.net

Publication date & source: 2004-06, Clin Microbiol Infect., 10(6):527-9.

Publication type: Clinical Trial; Randomized Controlled Trial

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.