[Clinical observation on the efficacy of ivermectin in the treatment of intestinal nematode infections].

OBJECTIVE

To observe the efficacy and side effects of ivermectin in the treatment of intestinal nematode infections.

METHODS

A single dose of ivermectin 0.1, 0.2, 0.2 and 0.2 mg/kg was orally administered to cases with infection of Ascaris, hookworm, Trichuris and Enterobius respectively. A single dose of albendazole 400 mg was used as control.

RESULTS

The egg negative conversion rates of ivermectin and albendazole were both 100% (34/34) for Ascaris infection, 17.6% (6/34) and 76.5% (26/34) respectively for hookworm infection, 67.6% (23/34) and 47.1% (16/34) respectively for Trichuris infection, 58.8% (20/34) and 100% (34/34) respectively for Enterobius infection. The worm discharge reached a peak in 1-2 days after treatment. The side effect of ivermectin was mild and transient showing no adverse effect on blood picture, liver function, renal function or ECG.

CONCLUSION

Ivermectin shows similar effect on Ascaris with albendazole, better effect on Trichuris and poorer effect on hookworm and Enterobius than albendazole.