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 the 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% and 75.7% of the patients in the secnidazole and tinidazole groups, respectively. Parasitological cure was obtained in the 91.3% and 89.6% 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.
ABSTRACT
Age, sex and cause-specific mortality rates in 1982-86 for eight municipalities in the Tel Aviv region were compared to comparable rates of a reference population--the 1984 Jewish population of Israel. Residents of Or Yehuda, Tel Aviv, Holon and Bat Yam had an elevated risk of dying. Of particular interest is the elevated risk among adult residents of the Tel Aviv municipality. Males and females aged 30-44 had excess mortality from heart disease and external causes of death, and males aged 45-64 from ischemic heart disease and external causes. Tel Aviv females aged 30-44 also had excess mortality from cerebrovascular disease and females aged 45-64 from malignancy. High mortality rates in these age groups contribute considerably to years of life lost, and it is suggested that local health service or governmental action should be taken to investigate and reduce the disparities. Small area analysis, as shown here, may provide considerable information for monitoring community health.
