ABSTRACT
Giardiasis is a cosmopolitan parasitosis. Diarrhea, abdominal colic, and flatulence are the main clinical symptoms, however, malabsorption, and impairment of growth of children may occur. The 5-nitroimidazoles are drugs of choice in the treatment of giardiasis. Methods: The efficacy and tolerability of secnidazole and tinidazole were evaluated in a randomized, open-label clinical trial performed with 267 Giardia lamblia-positive children. Secnidazole , in a new gel formulation, and tinidazole suspension were prescribed as single oral doses of 30mg/kg and 50mg/kg, respectively. Clinical and parasitological follow-up was carried out before, and at 7, 14, and 21 days after treatment. Results: Clinical cure was observed in 77,3 percent and 75,7 percent of the patients in the secnidazole and tinidazole groups, respectively. Parasitological cure was obtained in the 91,3 percent and 89,6 percent in the secnidazole and tinidazole groups, respectively. A metallic taste after drug ingestion was more commonly reported in the tinidazole group than in the secnidazole group (p<0.05). Conclusions: The authors conclude that both secnidazole gel and tinidazole administered as a single oral dose are effective treatments for children with giardiasis since both high cure rates and good tolerability were observed