Albendazole: placebo-controlled study in 870 patients with intestinal helminthiasis

Abstract

A total of 870 patients, both males and females, from 3 to 79 years old, received either albendazole or a placebo for the treatment of nematode and cestode infections. Each patient was interviewed and underwent a complete physical examination on the initial visit. In addition, complete blood count, clinical blood chemistry values and routine urinalysis were performed before and at least 24 hours after the last treatment. Stool examinations were performed before, 7 and 21 days after treatment. Direct examination, an egg count using the Kato technique and faecal concentration were carried out for each patient. In ancylostomiasis and strongyloidiasis, faeces were cultured by the Harada-Mori technique.