Fikireselassie Samuel.pdf - Addis Ababa University

ABSTRACT
The three major soil-transmitted helminths (STH), i.e., Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura
and hookworm (Necator americanus/Ancylostoma duodenale) are among the most widespread
parasites worldwide. Despite the global expansion of preventive anthelminthic treatment, the
monitoring of anthelminthic efficacy is not a common phenomenon. The objective of this study
was to assess the efficacy of a single 400 milligram dose of albendazole (manufactured by
Khandeiwal Laboratories Pvt. Ltd) against the major STHs using a standardized protocol. In
March 2011, fresh stool samples were collected from 298 students enrolled in one primary
school located in Wondo Genet, Southern Ethiopia. Efficacy was assessed based on cure rate
(CR) and the fecal egg count reduction (FECR) using quantitative Kato Katz technique. The
prevalence of any STH infection among school children was 74.8%, showing that the community
represents a high risk community. High CR of the drug was observed for A. lumbricoides (97%)
and hookworm (95.3%). The efficacy of the drug was low (42.3%) for T. trichiura. The FECR
was also very high for hookworm (93.3%) and A. lumbricoides (90%), but low for T. trichiura
(25%). The findings suggest that 400 mg single dose of Albendazole is effective against
hookworm and A. lumbricoides but a single-dose of ALB is unlikely to be satisfactory for T.
trichiura parasite treatment. For this parasite a repeated dose regime of ALB for three
consecutive days is likely to be more appropriate. Alternative drugs are mebendazole (single
dose 500mg), pyrantel+oxantel (single dose 10mg/kg) and albendazole + ivermectin. This will
have better effect in reducing prevalence and intensity of infection in school children due to the
parasite.
Key words: Helminths, Albendazole, Efficacy, Cure Rate, FECR
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