A preliminary report on levo-tetramisole: a new drug for intestinal capillariasis

Levo-tetramisole was found most effective in the treatment of C. philippinensis infection when given at a dose of 2.5 mg./kg. day for as long as 30 days. The exact value of this drug, however, depends on the further treatment evaluation. Side effects of the drug administration were, however, mild and transient and did not interfere with the completion of the treatment

Hematological studies in schistosomiasis japonica

In 95 schistosomiasis patients, who were all positive for Schistosoma japonicum ova in the stools, our hematological studies revealed the following picture: A. Before Fuadin Treatment: 1. Strong tendency for the production of macrocytic hypochromic type of anemia with an erythrocyte count ranging from 4.033+-0.083 millions to 3.722+-0.85 millions in the early stage; and a marked decrease towards the late stages, with counts ranging from 2.656+-0.465 to 3.404+-0.1652. A leucocyte count from 11,038+-1,995 to 15,376+-891 in the early stages, with an eosinophilia ranging from 25.13 to 28.26%; and normal lymphocyte percentage and a tendency to lencepenia towards the late stage3. There was an increase sedeimentation rate, ranging from 23.66 to 47.83 mm. per hour4. Target cells were present in 68% of the casesB. During Fuadin Therapy: 1. A tendency for the anemia in the early stages to become normocytic hypochromic in type, and the late stages to remain macrocytic. Fuadin did not cause a further decrease of the Rbc count2. A slight decrease of the leucocyte counts in the early stages, ranging from 8,738+-583 to 12,018+-1,408, with a further increase of eosinophilia, the values ranging from 34.24 toi 35.63% in the early stages and from 25.99 to 43.2% in the later stages3. The sedimentation rate remained apparently the same as before treatment4. Target cells were present in 80% of casesC. After Fuadin Treatment: 1. Production of normocytic hypochromic anemia in almost all stages, with an almost stationary erythrocyte count in the early stage and a relative increase in the later stage2. Leucocytosis was still seen in the early stages, and even in the later stage, with eosinophilia still present, ranging from 28.14 to 35.44%3. There was a noticeable drop in sedimentation rate as compared with values before treatment4. Lymphocytosis was seen in all cases, with 30.66 to 38.14%5. Target cells were seen in 77% of casesThe concomitant presence of hookworm ova did not alter the macrocytic type of anemia found in schistosomiasis patientsFuadin, in its therapeutic dose, did not aggravate the blood picture. On the contrary, it could be the one that might have produced improvement. (Summary and conclusion)

Field studies on the treatment of schistosomiasis japonica with nilodin

Nilodin was tried in 238 cases of Schistosomiasis japonica, most of whom were early cases; but only in 233 was the treatment completedThe total dosage given per treatment was 60 mgm. per kilo body weight, administered by mouth in divided doses for a period of three to six days, proportionately reduced in children according to weight. That an adult of 50 kg. received a total of three Gm. or one Gm. a day for period of three days or 0.5 Gm. a day to six daysThe results showed that, of the 233 who completed the treatment 218 or 93.24% were still positive for viable eggs from one to four weeks after the treatment; only 13 or 5.40% became negativeToxic reactions, which were usually too mild and insufficient stop treatment, occurred in 229, or 96.6%, of the casesJudging from the results of this study, it would seem that Nilodin is not effective in the treatment of Schistosoma japonicum, with the same dosage used against S. mansoni and S. baematobium infections. It is hoped, however, that further studies on this treatment, with increased dosage, will be made. (Summary)

Mebendazole treatment for intestinal nematodes in a Philippine Barrio: a preliminary report

Mebendazole in doses of 200 mg. per day for 4 days was used in the mass treatment of ascaris lumbricoides, trichuris trichiura and hookworm among 585 inhabitants of Barrio Tallaoen, Tagudin, Ilocos Sur; children below 6 years of age were given half the dose. This treatment was repeated every 2 months for 10 months. The treatment effected a dramatic change in the nematological profile of the barrio inhabitants; the pretreatment prevalences of 78%, 88% and 31% of A. lumbricoides, T. trichiura and hookworm, respectively, decreased significantly after the 3rd treatment to 5%, 8% and 3% and after the 6th treatment to 3%, 9% and 2%, respectively. Mebendazole was found to be well tolerated by all age groups; side-reactions were not observed except for erratic ascaris reported by 16 patients (although this was not encountered in 58 children with history of spontaneous passage of A. lumbricoides and administered levamisole one day previous to mebendozole). Overall improvement in the general health of the barrio inhabitants, especially children, was experienced, despite no improvement in sanitation of the area.(Summary)