Efficacy and tolerability of two single-day regimens of triclabendazole for fascioliasis in Peruvian children.

INTRODUCTION

The therapeutic scheme of triclabendazole (TCBZ), the recommended anthelmintic against Fasciola hepatica , involves 10mg/kg of body weight administered in a single dose; however, clinical trials in children are scarce. We evaluated the efficacy and tolerability of 2 schemes of TCBZ.

METHODS

Eighty-four Peruvian children with F. hepatica eggs in their stools were allocated into 2 groups: 44 received 2 dosages of 7.5mg/kg each with a 12-h interval (Group I), and 40 received a single 10-mg/kg dose (Group II). Evaluation of efficacy was based on the presence of eggs in stools, and tolerability was based on the presence of symptoms and signs post-treatment.

RESULTS

A parasitological cure was obtained in 100% of individuals from Group I and 95% of individuals from Group II. The most common adverse event was biliary colic.

CONCLUSIONS

The tested scheme was efficacious and tolerable, and it might be an optimal scheme in the region. To the best of our knowledge, this represents the largest series of children treated with TCBZ in a non-hospital setting.