Impact of periodic selective mebendazole treatment on soil‐transmitted helminth infections in Cuban schoolchildren

Abstract

Abstractobjective To evaluate the impact of periodic selective treatment with 500 mg mebendazole on soiltransmitted helminth (STH) infections in Cuban schoolchildren.methods We followed up a cohort of 268 STH-positive schoolchildren, aged 5-14 years at baseline, at six-month intervals for two years and a final follow-up after three years. Kato-Katz stool examination was used to detect infections with Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura and hookworm. Common risk factors related to STHs were assessed by parental questionnaire.results A significant reduction in the number of STH infections was obtained after three years with the highest reduction for T. trichiura (87.8%) and the lowest for hookworm (57.9%). After six months, cure rates (CRs) were 76.9% for A. lumbricoides, 67.4% for T. trichiura and 44.4% for hookworm. After two treatment rounds, more than 75% of all STH-positive children at baseline were cured, but with important differences between STH species (95.2% for A. lumbricoides, 80.5% for T. trichiura and 76.5% for hookworm). At the end of the study, these cumulative CRs were almost 100% for all three STHs. Risk factors for STHs were sex, sanitary disposal and habit of playing in the soil.conclusions Our results indicate that periodic selective treatment with 500 mg mebendazole is effective in reducing the number of STH infections in Cuban schoolchildren. Although important differences were found between helminth species, two rounds of treatment appeared sufficient to obtain substantial reductions.

Efficacy of single-dose 500 mg mebendazole in soil-transmitted helminth infections: a review

“…At 6 months after the first dose of mebendazole 500 mg ( n = 132), the cure rate was 67.4% and egg reduction rate was 85.0% and after 3 years ( n = 107), the cure rate was 89.7% and egg reduction rate was 97.7%. (van der Werff et al , 2014).…”

“…In another study conducted in patients treated with mebendazole 500 mg twice a year for A lumbricoides as part of an MDA programme in Cuba, (van der Werff et al , 2014) a cure rate of 76.9% and egg reduction rate of 98.0% at about 6 months ( n = 78) after the first dose and a cure rate of 78.2% and egg reduction rate of 98.7% after 3 years ( n = 55) were reported.…”

“…In addition to these single-dose studies, there was one study conducted in Cuba, in which evaluated patients were treated with mebendazole 500 mg twice a year for T. trichiura as part of an MDA programme (van der Werff et al , 2014). At 6 months after the first dose of mebendazole 500 mg ( n = 132), the cure rate was 67.4% and egg reduction rate was 85.0% and after 3 years ( n = 107), the cure rate was 89.7% and egg reduction rate was 97.7%.…”

Efficacy and Safety of a Single-Dose Mebendazole 500 mg Chewable, Rapidly-Disintegrating Tablet for Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichuris trichiura Infection Treatment in Pediatric Patients: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Phase 3 Study

“…An effective and safe mebendazole (MBZ) 500 mg solid oral tablet formulation is available for the treatment of STH in children older than one year. 10 The WHO recommends that anthelmintic tablets be crushed and mixed with water for easy administration in children < 3 years of age. Alternatively, a chewable tablet may be administered.…”

Distribution of Giardia duodenalis Assemblages by PCR-RFLP of β-Giardin Gene in Cuban Children

“…In the present study, a 9.34% of infection by Giardia was identified lower than most of previous reports in Cuba that could be explained by a better management of water quality around the country in the past years, as well as the positive impact of several educational campaigns addressed to children and their parents who have been developed and sustained to maintain low levels of all IPIs. 18,19 Children are the more prone to developing symptoms in this parasitic infection, in part due to their immunological status, as is the first time to get contact with this parasite. 20 Differences in symptomatic and asymptomatic Giardia- infected children have been attributed to several factors; genetic characteristics of this parasite have been one of the most explored factors.…”