Single low-dose mebendazole administered quarterly for ascaris treatment.

BACKGROUND

Intestinal parasites are difficult to eradicate in tropical climates where poor sanitation exists. In addition, pharmaceutical stability is poor making traditional three day dosing for the treatment of A. lumricoides challenging.

METHODS

Single 100 mg doses of mebendazole were administered to persons living along Amazon tributaries in Northeastern Peru. Directly-observed treatment was repeated at 3-month intervals over a 2-year period in a single treatment village. Treatment was repeated at 12-month intervals in the remaining (control) villages. Treatment was accompanied by a regimen of multivitamins with iron to be taken daily for 14 days after each treatment. Subjects were screened for ova and parasites prior to treatment and at 1-year intervals. In addition to A. lumbricoides, other parasites found on screening were recorded.

RESULTS

Treatment resulted in a 92.5% cure rate for A. lumbricoides at the 2-year assessment. Growth and development assessments demonstrated fewer individuals below the 3 percentile for age-adjusted measurements when treated quarterly.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on these limited data, single low-dose mebendazole administered quarterly appears to have a positive effect on the health of isolated village populations in the Amazon River basin.