Experiences with the use of metronidazole in the treatment of non dysenteric intestinal amoebiasis

Abstract

3 dosage schedules of metronidazole were used to treat 88 patients who were passing cysts of E. histolytica or E. hartmanni. The respective cure rates were 82·6%, with 800 mg. thrice daily for 10 days, 79% with 800 mg. thrice daily for 5 days and 61·2% with 400 mg. thrice daily for 10 days. Side effects were relatively common, the most frequent being nausea, vomiting and abdominal discomfort. In 3 patients treatment was stopped on account of such adverse effects. An analysis of the treatment failures suggested that European patients may respond less well than African or Asian patients. The indications for using metronidazole in amoebic cyst passers are discussed.