Clinical trials of a new anthelmintic, 4-isothiocyanato-4'-nitrodiphenylamine (C.9333-Go/CGP 4540), for the cure of hookworm infection.

A new compound, 4-isothiocyanato-4'-nitrodiphenylamine (C.9333-Go/CGP 4540), was tried in 39 hospitalized patients with hookworm infection, using several treatment schedules. At effective dose schedules (125 mg X 3 given 4-hourly; 250 mg X 3, 8-hourly; 1,000 mg X 3, 12-hourly), the egg reduction was 96% to 100%; the zero egg-counts were confirmed by coproculture for larvae. The compound was very well tolerated. Transient and mild side effects--giddiness, diarrhea and sweating--were observed in only three patients. No toxic effects were seen as judged by serial organ function tests, except a transient and mild asymptomatic elevation of transaminases in one patient.