Expulsion of taenia saginata and taenia solium by quinacrine (atabrine) treatment

ABSTRACT

1. Quinacrine hydrochloride with sodium bicarbonate when given orally to 16 patients with taeniasis produced expulsion of the worm in 15 or a cure rate of 93.7 per cent. Worms were expelled alive and stained with deep yellow color of quinacrine2. Out of 15 cases of taeniasis successfully treated 2 were caused by Taenia solium and 13 by Taenia saginata3. There was one case of multiple infection by Taenia saginata which is the first and only case so far recorded in the department of parasitology4. The symptoms experienced by some patients were nausea, vomitting, hunger pains and general body weakness which were considered benign and hence hospitalization during treatment is not warranted. (Summary)