Randomized comparative trial of two high-dose albendazole regimens for uncomplicated human strongyloidiasis.

A randomized trial study was conducted comparing the efficacy of two high-dose regimens of albendazole for the treatment of uncomplicated human strongyloidiasis. Agar plate culture (APC) was used as an evaluation technique for coprological diagnosis. All 115 subjects infected with Strongyloides stercoralis from 7 provinces in northeastern Thailand were divided randomly into two groups. Regimen-1 group received albendazole 800 mg/day twice daily for 3 consecutive days, and regimen-2 group received the same dose for 5 consecutive days. For each regimen, the same treatment was repeated once 7 days later. Stools were parasitologically examined at 14 days, and 10 days after the second course of treatment, respectively. A coprological cure rate of 87.9% (51/58) was obtained in the regimen-1 group, with 89.5% (51/57) in the regimen-2 group, which was not statistically significantly different (P = 0.794). The mild adverse effects were not statistically different between the two groups, at 8.6% and 8.8%, respectively (P = 0.977). We therefore suggest albendazole treatment using regimen 1 should be recommended. However, the use of new effective drugs should be considered, especially in hyperinfective strongyloidiasis.

Prevalence of Strongyloides stercoralis infection in northeastern Thailand (agar plate culture detection).

The prevalence of Strongyloides stercoralis infection was studied in the rural and urban populations of 19 provinces of Northeastern Thailand. A total of 1233 fecal samples was collected from July to September 2002 and examined using agar plate culture method. The overall prevalence of S. stercoralis was 23.5 per cent with the highest infection rate in Kalasin Province (61.0%), predominantly among 60 year olds and older (28.0%), and in males (32.8%). The factors associated with Strongyloides infection were sex (males) and age (the over 19 year-old age group). CONCLUSION: S. stercoralis infection remains highly prevalent among the population of northeastern Thailand as confirmed by the agar plate culture method. The authors recommend that a program for effective strongyloidiasis control should have a justifiable priority.