Efficacy and safety of albendazole and high-dose ivermectin co-administration in school-aged children infected with Trichuris trichiura in Honduras: A Randomized Controlled Trial

• Published in: Clinical infectious diseases 2021-04
• Main Authors: Matamoros, Gabriela, Sánchez, Ana, Gabrie, José Antonio, Juárez, Marisa, Ceballos, Laura, Escalada, Andrés, Rodríguez, Carol, Martí-Soler, Helena, Rueda, María Mercedes, Canales, Maritza, Lanusse, Carlos, Cajal, Pamela, Álvarez, Luis, Cimino, Rubén O, Krolewiecki, Alejandro
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1537-6591

The efficacy of currently available anthelminthics against Trichuris trichiura infections is significatively lower than for other soil-transmitted helminths (STH). The combination of ivermectin (IVM) and albendazole (ALB) has shown significant improvements in efficacy. Safety and efficacy randomized controlled clinical trial comparing 3 experimental regimens against ALB monotherapy for the treatment of T. trichiura infections in northern Honduras. Infected children were randomized to one of the following treatments: (Arm 1) single-dose ALB 400 mg; (Arm 2) single-dose ALB 400 mg/IVM 600 μg/kg; (Arm 3) ALB 400 mg for 3 consecutive days; or (Arm 4) ALB 400 mg/IVM 600 μg/kg for 3 consecutive days. Efficacy was measured through egg reduction rate (ERR) and cure rate (CR), both assessed 14-21 days after treatment using the Kato-Katz method. Safety was evaluated by analyzing the frequency and severity of adverse events. A total of 176 children were randomized to one of the 4 treatment arms, 117 completed treatment and follow-up. The ERR for Arms 1 to 4 were: 47.7%, 96.7%, 72.1% and 100%, respectively; with p-values