[Efficacy of albendazole for treatment of mice infected with Sparganum mansoni].

In order to observe the efficacy of albendazole for the treatment of mice infected with Sparganum mansoni, a total of 72 mice were divided into 8 groups (9 mice each), each mouse was orally infected with 5 plerocercoid. At one week after infection, groups A-C were treated with a 7-day course of albendazole (1700, 2500, and 3300 mg/kg, twice daily), and sacrificed at 1 week post-treatment; groups E-G were treated with the second course of albendazole with the same dosage at 1 week interval after the first course, and sacrificed at 1 week after the second course; the groups D and H were used as control for A-C and E-G, respectively. After the infected mice were sacrificed, the mean number of worms recovered was observed and worm reduction rate was determined. When treating with one course of albendazole at 1 week post infection, the worm reduction rate in groups A-C was 20.0%, 20.0% and 24.9%, respectively (chi2 = 0.351, P > 0.05). After treatment with two courses of albendazole, the worm reduction rate in groups E-G was 22.3%, 36.4% and 31.9% (chi2 = 1.812, P > 0.05). The difference of the worm reduction rate in the infected mice treated with 1 and 2 courses of albendazole showed no statistical significance (P > 0.05). The results indicated albendazole has no obvious efficacy for treating sparganosis in mice.